Illegal gambling targeted by Asheboro police

Utopia on North Park Street in Asheboro is one of the establishments included in the police department’s investigation. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record)

ASHEBORO — A crackdown on illegal gambling rooms in Asheboro has resulted in five arrests after an extended operation.

The Asheboro Police Department executed search warrants on four locations.

The targeted establishments were Oklahoma Games on Zoo Parkway, Utopia on North Park Street, Spin City on South Cox Street and The Room II on White Oak Street.

Police seized 314 hard drives, five firearms, four video surveillance systems and almost $70,000

The police department says that detectives found that the establishments were illegally operating gaming machines and providing cash payout for credits from gameplay.

As part of the operation, those facing charges are Shenna Sperry, 32; Maxie Odaniel, 80; Virginia Jackson, 60; Gary Matthews, 65; and Emily Kendrick 35. Each of these individuals faces at least five charges.

The charges include counts of operating five or more video gaming machines, misdemeanor gambling, operating and possessing slot machines, manufacturing and selling slot machines, and electronic sweepstakes.

Additional charges are possible as this is an ongoing investigation, police said.

Investigations showed that the locations were illegally operating gaming machines and providing cash winnings.

Other locations in the city have voluntarily closed, police said.

Alcohol Law Enforcement also has been involved with the investigation.

Lt. Corey Hatfield is collecting more information regarding illegal gambling in the city.

Gaming operations often have been scrutinized in Asheboro.

In 2018, special agents with ALE conducted a raid that resulted in confiscating about two dozen machines from what was then Lucky Day Skill Games & Fish Tables on Fayetteville Street.

In 2020, there were 10 people indicted in Randolph County stemming from investigations into illegal gambling. Six sweepstakes businesses were part of that operation.