Two People Sentenced in Illegal Gambling Case Tied to Flint’s “The Vault”

DETROIT, July 16, 2026 — Two people related to a prison investigation into unlawful gaming operations at 3301 Corunna Road in Flint have been sentenced on July 13 within the 7^th Circuit Court in Genesee County by Judge Elizabeth Kelly, following a joint investigation by the Michigan Department of Attorney General and the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB).

James Stiles and Laura Stiles, each residents of Georgia, have been sentenced to at least one yr of probation. Each pled responsible to at least one excessive courtroom misdemeanor of sustaining a playing home for achieve (a 2-year misdemeanor). Mr. Stiles obtained 9 days of jail credit score and Mrs. Stiles obtained 5 days of jail credit score. Both defendants have been ordered to pay $500 in fines and prices, a $130 crime sufferer charge, $68 in state prices, and a $30 oversight charge.

“This case shows what happens when an illegal gambling operation tries to hide behind a new name and a new sign,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams stated. “Our partnership with the Attorney General’s Office and the City of Flint made sure this location couldn’t simply reopen and continue operating outside the law.”

The location was first investigated on Aug. 18, 2022, when the MGCB and the Michigan Attorney General’s Office executed a search warrant at The Cellular Vault, a enterprise working out of 3301 Corunna Road, after suspecting unlawful gaming exercise on the web site. That search netted 43 computer systems used for playing and $2,572.48 in winnings and playing proceeds. The enterprise, identified domestically as “The Vault,” was subsequently shut down.

Since then, the MGCB had obtained nameless ideas from involved Michigan residents indicating {that a} storefront on line casino had reopened on the similar location below the brand new enterprise title The Flint Arcade, the place clients have been reportedly supplied the chance to play slot-style gaming machines.

The Michigan Penal Code broadly prohibits any form of playing aside from what is allowed by regulation, with potential penalties for Michigan companies working gaming machines illegally, together with prison expenses and/or financial fines.

Following complete investigations at 3301 Corunna Road in August 2022 and August 2023 by the Michigan Department of Attorney General and the MGCB, the City of Flint filed a criticism within the 7^th Circuit Court in Genesee County, searching for aid that the constructing be abated with all its contents eliminated and bought, closed, and never used for any function for one yr. A settlement settlement on that criticism was reached on May 7, 2024.

The MGCB publishes reality sheets about authorized vs. unlawful gaming on its web site at Michigan.gov/MGCB, and provides companies that violate the regulation alternatives to come back into compliance earlier than authorities turn out to be concerned and are compelled to confiscate gear and proceeds from an unlawful operation.

Michigan residents can report unlawful or suspicious playing exercise anonymously by calling the 24-hour tipline at 1-888-314-2682, or by sending a message (not nameless) to MIGamblingTip@michigan.gov. Citizens who want to ship an e mail however favor to stay nameless can point out this request within the physique of the e-mail. Written ideas will also be submitted anonymously to the MGCB utilizing the web type discovered below the report unlawful or suspicious playing exercise hyperlink within the Illegal Gambling Resources part of the company’s web site at Michigan.gov/MGCB.