Six charged with possession of gambling machines

Six owners of restaurants or bars in McCook have been charged with possession of gambling devices and promoting gambling in the second degree, according to Nebraska Attorney General John Bruning.

Those charged in Red Willow County include Carol Blackman, Benjamin Coburn, Candice Farr, Mary Badel, Larry Siebrandt, and Tilden Weber.

The arraignment date has been set for Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 1:15 p.m. at Red Willow County Court.

The charges are Class II misdemeanors, each punishable by up to six months in prison and/or $1,000 in fines.

Other charges were filed in Chase, Phelps, Saline and Saunders Counties.

In total, Bruning's office will file 77 charges in 13 cases.

The first of the 13 cases involving illegal gambling machines was filed Tuesday. Gary Blatter, owner of Vendamatic, was charged with two counts of possession of a gambling device and one count of promoting gambling in the second degree in Saunders County Court. Blatter is accused of supplying a bar in Cedar Bluffs, Neb. with illegal gambling machines.

"We can't allow businesses to operate illegal machines," Bruning said. "The law is clear and we'll enforce it. Those who break the law will have to deal with the consequences."