Two clerks, owner arrested after gambling is discovered at Augusta convenience store

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- The Richmond County Sheriff's Office has arrested three men they say were responsible for a gambling operation at a local convenience store.

The Georgia State Lottery Association notified the sheriff's office about the Exxon at 2071 Gordon Highway, saying the store had high numbers of hand counts and jackpot totals on their coin-operated machines (COAM).

Those numbers were inconsistent with other stores inspected in the area, sparking an investigation. The Association believed the Exxon was making payouts of cash, which is against the law in Georgia.

A confidential informant was sent in April with audio and video recording devices, along with $100 to play the COAM. The informant played the machine for about 45 minutes then went to the clerk who reached under the counter and handed them $60 cash.

Later that month, another CI was sent in with audio and video recording equipment, along with $100 and played for around 45 minutes. He won $100 cash from the store, again in violation of GA law.

They did this a third time on May 14th. The two clerks, Pranav Aleti and Buchi Reddy were identified from the audio and video. Both men were arrested, as was owner Anilk Allati.