The Michigan Gaming Control Board on Thursday announced the sentencing of a man involved in an illegal gambling operation at Pfeffer’s Party Store, a Wyoming liquor store.
Gurjinder Singh, 32, of Grand Rapids was sentenced by Judge Steven M. Timmers in 62A District Court in Kent County after his guilty plea to the misdemeanor charge of Gambling House Permitting for Gain, a two-year sentence. Singh was ordered to pay $500 in fines, fees, and court costs.
“This sentencing sends a clear message that illegal gambling will not be tolerated in Michigan,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said in a statement. “We encourage all business owners to follow the law and remind the public that unregulated gambling puts players and communities at risk.”
The case was a joint investigation by the Michigan Department of Attorney General and the MGCB after reports of suspicious activity at the business location. In February 2024, investigators identified two standalone slot-style gaming machines inside Pfeffer’s Party Store that closely resembled machines used in licensed commercial casinos.
According to investigators, customers could play the machines and redeem winnings for Visa gift cards — an arrangement to bypass Michigan’s legal requirements for gambling activities and that poses risks to consumers. Illegal machines operate outside established regulatory safeguards designed to promote fairness, protect patrons, and prevent criminal activity associated with unregulated gambling.
“Illegal gambling operations may appear harmless, but they can contribute to other forms of crime, lack consumer protections, and divert revenue away from community priorities,” Williams said. “We appreciate the strong collaboration with the Department of Attorney General and local law enforcement in bringing this case to a close.”
