07:45 AM EST on Wednesday, November 26, 2003

By WILL JONES / WCNC

More than 100 video poker machines were confiscated and three people were arrested Tuesday after one of the largest busts in the area's recent history.

After a four-month investigation police say they seized 113 machines, close to $40,000, four guns, three vehicles, and one ounce of marijuana.

William Snell, Hobert Carpenter and Louyn Summerford all face illegal gambling charges and police say more charges may be filed.

City and county law officers went to 10 locations, including game rooms, bars, and a home where 78 video poker machines were found.

Police say some of the seized machines were legally registered and some were not.

But, it's a crime to have more than three in one place, registered or not, unless it's a repair shop.

Police say some of the machines were involved in illegal payoffs.

Investigators say illegal gambling can affect the entire community.

"It's against the law, number one,” says Sgt. Coerte Vorhees. “Number 2, obviously this money goes out. People are making money from people who have gambling problems. This type of thing leads to people being desperate and committing other types of crimes to feed their habit."