COFFEE COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) – Two Coffee County residents are now facing charges for violating state gambling laws.
The arrests came as part of a “lengthy” investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) into businesses that used unlicensed coin-operated amusement machines (COAMS) that paid people cash for winnings.
The investigation resulted in the GBI’s Commercial Gambling Unit, Coffee County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies executing search warrants at Swamp Dawg’s Bait, Tackle and Bow and Bella’s Thrifts and Gift in Douglas on Wednesday, August 14.
After the search, Gene “Buster” Cauley, 61, and Jennifer Amy Clark, 47, were arrested.
Cauley is accused of:
- Operation of unlicensed COAMS
- Commercial gambling
- Possession of gambling machines
- Operation of a gambling establishment
- Multiple provision of cash payouts for accumulated COAM balances
Clark was charged with:
- Operation of unlicensed COAMS
- Commercial gambling
- Possession of gambling machines
- Operation of a gambling establishment
They were both taken to the Coffee County Jail.
This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the GBI’s Commercial Gambling Unit at 404-270-8491. Anonymous tips may also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477).
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