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Sandra Yi ReportingPolice break up an illegal gambling operation in Clearfield. They served a search warrant at the 49er Social Club.
Inside, the building looks like a restaurant setting, but authorities say customers were able to play Bingo, or a computer game called Chichingo. Investigators say customers would play those games for a chance at a cash payout. Clearfield city attorneys say people won as much as $5,000.
Authorities say the establishment would charge customers $30 for dinner, but the type of food served was cheap, and most of the money was really going towards the games.
Lt. Tony Garcia, Dept. of Public Safety: "The serious part is people coming into these types of establishments and spending a lot of money and some were leaving here without any gain."
Investigators say the business was so popular, there were as many as 300 people there on weekend nights. The owner raked in about $50,000 a month.
Authorities have been investigating the business for a year and a half. Today they served a search warrant and confiscated thousands of dollars in cash, computer games, bingo cards and business records.
The owner, Wendi West, was cited on misdeameanor gambling charges. She is cooperating with police and told them she was planning to get out of the business.
Authorities say say they're aware of several other similar businesses along the Wasatch Front, and they plan to investigate.
