Truckers playing video poker at a Travelcenters of America truck stop in Charleston, W.Va., are allegedly trading their winnings for work gloves, antifreeze or books on tape and violating state law in the process.
According to the Associated Press, signs hanging near the store's 13 machines tell players how to trade their points for anything in the store except cash, tobacco or fuel. Players must have all points verified by a truckstop employee before printing a ticket, and must provide a driver's license or photo ID with a telephone number and signature.
However, state officials say this is against state law.
Store manager Eldo Perry said he thought the payouts were legal. TA spokesman Michael O'Connor said his company knows it has video poker machines in its West Virginia truck stops, but was using them for entertainment purposes only.
"I'm sure we're not doing something illegal," O'Connor told the AP. "If the authorities have told you what we're doing is illegal, then why haven't they contacted us?"
Jack Lavender of the state Alcohol Beverage Control Administration told the AP his agency sometimes sends undercover agents to businesses suspected of making illegal payouts. Police could bring charges, he said.
According to the Associated Press, signs hanging near the store's 13 machines tell players how to trade their points for anything in the store except cash, tobacco or fuel. Players must have all points verified by a truckstop employee before printing a ticket, and must provide a driver's license or photo ID with a telephone number and signature.
However, state officials say this is against state law.
Store manager Eldo Perry said he thought the payouts were legal. TA spokesman Michael O'Connor said his company knows it has video poker machines in its West Virginia truck stops, but was using them for entertainment purposes only.
"I'm sure we're not doing something illegal," O'Connor told the AP. "If the authorities have told you what we're doing is illegal, then why haven't they contacted us?"
Jack Lavender of the state Alcohol Beverage Control Administration told the AP his agency sometimes sends undercover agents to businesses suspected of making illegal payouts. Police could bring charges, he said.
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