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Man charged with running illegal gambling business out of local bars

A man has been charged with running an illegal gambling business out of bars in Washington, Westmoreland, Allegheny and Fayette counties.

According to state police, Anthony Zenner faces several charges for operating video gaming machines in almost 150 bars.

He was arrested Thursday and released on $30,000 bond.

The state attorney general's office announced Zenner's arrest and claimed he made $7 million in the scheme he ran from 2006-17.

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According to police, participating establishments made cash payouts to players who won credits on machines operated by Zenner vending, which is illegal under Pennsylvania state law.

Police say the machines were also outfitted with devices that made them illegal.

The two-year investigation alleges that Zenner and venue owners were splitting profits from the illegal machines to the tune of more than $15,000 a week.

Last April, agents with the attorney general’s office and state police seized 142 of those machines, $83,000 and a car from Zenner's video poker machine warehouse in Washington County.

Investigators also froze more than $63,000 in five different bank accounts.