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A South Carolina man has been arrested for allegations he maintained an illegal gambling parlor from his home.
Walter Limann Hicks Sr., a 51-year-old Gaston resident, was taken into custody on March 3 and charged with unlawful possession/operation of a slot, video, vending machine or gambling device as well as a count of unlawful games and betting.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) only announced the arrest on Friday during a news conference.
During a search of Hicks’ home, 18 illegal gambling machines were seized, arrest warrants show.
Each machine was identified as a “Pot O Gold” gaming device that offered various forms of blackjack, keno and poker, according to arrest warrants.
SLED was asked to lead the investigation. Hicks, who was released on bond two days after his arrest, will be prosecuted by the 11th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
Hicks was arrested and charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature just days before being charged with running the illegal gambling parlor from his home.
South Carolina is one of the strictest anti-gambling states, but despite this reality, Hicks will likely face no more than a few months in prison. The maximum amount of time he could serve based on this alleged crime alone is one year.
Hicks does have an extensive arrest record.
In July 2023, Hicks was arrested on a count of first-degree domestic violence and pleaded guilty to a second-degree domestic violence charge.
In August 2020, Hicks was arrested and charged with third-degree domestic violence and later pleaded guilty to a disorderly conduct charge
Hicks had previously plead guilty to that same charge in 2017, months after he was originally arrested on a malicious injury (value $2,000 or less) charge.
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
