The Villa Hotel, 12 Blagrove St., Richwood was closed Friday as investigators executed a search warrant. Several suspected video gaming machines were reportedly taken from the bar.
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A Richwood bar and grill has been closed, at least temporarily.
Law enforcement officials confirmed Friday that the Ohio Investigative Unit, a division of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, executed a search warrant Friday morning at the Villa Hotel, 12 West Blagrove St., Richwood.
Agents reportedly removed at least three machines suspected to be video gaming devices. The Ohio Investigative Unit uses undercover agents to investigate specific crimes in the state and is tasked with enforcing the state’s liquor laws
Richwood Police Chief Monte Asher conformed that his office secured the scene after the warrant execution. He said the establishment was closed and did not know how long it would remain that way.
Calls to the Villa Hotel were answered, but the woman declined to give her name.
“I have no comment at this time,” said the woman.
She said she was talking with people to see if the bar would be open on Friday.
Dan Tierney, a spokesman for the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, said he could not comment on this specific case, but said laws about games of chance are pretty clear.
“Ohio law bans slot machines unless they are at one of the state’s casinos,” Tierney said.
“If they are paying out cash prizes, they are in violation of the law and that makes these investigations very easy.”
If the machines turn out to be illegal, it could have ramifications for the bar’s liquor license. An administrative case could be filed with the Ohio Liquor Control Commission against the establishment’s liquor license at a later date.