City Renews Focus On Snuffing Out Illegal Gambling

INDIANAPOLIS -- Illegal gambling establishments in Indianapolis are coming under new scrutiny from police after a directive from the city to shut them down.

Indianapolis detectives, along with investigators from the FBI, served several warrants in connection with illegal gambling across the city and in Hamilton County on Thursday, 6News' Jack Rinehart reported.

"In this investigation, we're focusing on zoning violations, we're focusing on finances, seizing assets and freezing finances, as well as criminal charges in this case," said Indianapolis police Capt. Chris Boomershine.

Investigators seized pull tabs, tip boards and other gaming equipment at two Indianapolis pea shake houses, while officers arrested George Grigsby, 50, at his Carmel home on suspicion of running the gambling establishments, police said.

Thursday's raids come two days after officers seized more than $40,000 in cash and arrested Robert Stephanoff, 60, at the Big Dog Sports Bar & Grill at 2929 Kentucky Ave. Stephanoff was preliminarily charged with professional gambling.

Investigators said that the latest crack down was not focused on making mass arrests, but on targeting the owners and operators of the illegal gambling establishments.

"We're wanting to send a message in Indianapolis that if you're involved in unlawful gambling, we're not just going to raid you and come back next month," Boomershine said. "The goal is to conduct a thorough and lengthy investigation for the sole purposes of shutting you down permanently."