Salem Club Cited For Illegal Gambling Activity

SALEM, MA -- The Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission ruled that the Post #55 Polish Legion American Veterans Club on Daniels Street in Salem violated its liquor license by paying out winnings on two video poker machines. Agents for the commission visited the club in June and discovered the machines. A bartender working at the time of the inspection told investigators that the club paid out winnings to players who gave the bartender a receipt showing they had won.

Winners were paid 10 cents per point from a cash box behind the bar. At the time of the inspection there was $995 in the box, the report said.

The Commission said it will suspend the club's license for three days if there are any more violations within the next two years. The decision noted that Stefan Starzynski has held the club's license for 55 years and the only other violation came more than 30 years ago.

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Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).