A gambling operation that recently opened in St. Cloud was shut down Thursday by authorities. Triple Crown Sweepstakes, located in the Centennial Plaza in north St. Cloud, was shut down in a raid after law enforcement issued a search warrant and seized gambling devices that are similar to video slot machines.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Doug Neville issued a statement saying the raid was the result of an investigation by their Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division. The state contends Triple Crown Sweepstakes opened their doors within days after being told the business would be illegal in Minnesota.

A citizen complaint in June led to the state’s investigation. The owners of the establishment told investigators they were raising money for a charitable organization, but the owners were told that was not in compliance with state law.

According to the Department of Public Safety the company has allegedly approached several bars in the St. Cloud area claiming their products are authorized as electronic pull-tabs included in the recent stadium legislation.

The case has been turned over to the Stearns County Attorney for possible criminal charges.

Click here to read the media release from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety on this raid.