A Thursday night raid at Putters Inn at Middle Valley netted 16 illegal video poker machines and thousands of dollars in gambling money, authorities said.
Lt. Ron Rice of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department said, "For several months, the Hamilton County Sheriff's office along with the TBI and the district attorney's office have been conducting an investigation into a possible illegal gambling facility at the Putters Inn located at 6937 Middle Valley Road.
"As a result of this investigation, evidence has been developed that the Putter Inn is operating an illegal gambling facility in the form of video poker machines and active card games with pay outs.
"Undercover agents with the TBI and the Sheriff's office have witnessed and received payouts from the Putter Inn employees as a result of playing the video poker machines."
He said on Thursday at approximately 8 p.m., the Sheriff's office as well as the TBI executed a search warrant "for the purpose of developing additional evidence by seizing the poker machines and interviewing patrons and employees."
He said 16 machines were seized as well as several thousand dollars "that was found to be part of the machine payouts as well as the money from the card games that were being held."
Approximately 40 people were found to be active in the card game and approximately 10 people were found to be on the poker machines when officers arrived, he said.
These individuals were detained and all of them were interviewed as well as the employees before being released.
The only ones arrested at this time were two patrons who had active warrants on them.
Lt. Rice said, "The evidence collected as well as the statements given will be reviewed to build the case before any charges are announced against any patron, employee or the bar owner."