THOMASVILLE — Two Boston establishments were among those raided Wednesday by an anti-gambling task force.

The GBI’s Commercial Gambling Unit, along with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, Thomas County Sheriff’s Office, Valdosta Police Department, federal partners FBI, IRS, USDA, and in cooperation with the Georgia Lottery Corporation, executed 20 search warrants in Valdosta and Boston for violations of gambling laws and EBT fraud. 

Included in the raids were the Citgo at 19926 Highway 84 East and Murphy’s Grocery, 118 E. Jefferson St.

According to the GBI, during the course of a lengthy investigation, agents discovered businesses operating Coin Operated Amusement Machines (COAMS) where customers were receiving cash payouts for winning credits. In Georgia, COAMS must be properly licensed by the Georgia Lottery and credits may only be redeemed for lottery tickets and/or store merchandise. 

In addition, some of the locations were participating in fraudulent activity pertaining to EBT.