Lansing city leaders say too many people are gambling illegally.
That's why Lansing City Council's Public Safety Committee is drafting a measure to crack down on it.
FOX 47's Cryss Walker sat down with Council President Carol Wood to find out how the city plans to tackle this problem.
President Wood says right now, the city does not have the power to investigate illegal gambling operations, instead, the city has to rely on the state to take action.
“These are referred over to the state because we didn't have a gambling ordinance”, Wood said.
“For the State of Michigan there are two compliance officers that have to deal with gambling establishments. Well, when you think of the entire State of Michigan… how much time are they actually going to spend in Lansing?”
To combat this issue, the Committee on Public Safety is pushing an ordinance that would allow local law enforcement to take on illegal gambling cases.
“The issue is right now we don't have that ability on the books and by creating this, it puts another tool in the toolbox for the police department”, Wood explained.
Last October, state investigators shut down an illegal gambling enterprise that operated inside what appeared to be an empty storefront at Logan Square.
Neighbors in the area say the illegal activity is still going on.
“There's been, as I said, a number of gambling type of facilities on the south side of Lansing and we're trying to get a better handle on this”, Wood continued.
“This will then go into effect and our police can do the investigation.”
Council President Wood told FOX 47 that the ordinance will not affect the state lottery, bingo halls or other gaming establishments that are licensed by the state.
The full council is expected to vote on the gambling ordinance August 13th.
