Midlands video poker operator could be heading to prison after guilty plea

A Midlands man could face time in prison for pleading guilty to his involvement with video poker operations in the area around South Carolina’s capital.

Terry Land, of Sumter, pleaded in federal court to tax evasion and to operating a gambling business, according to U.S. Attorney Beth Drake.

Land became a target of an investigation because of a public corruption investigation that involved the video poker industry, Drake’s office said. The investigation revealed that several video poker companies were operating in and around the Midlands, with Land being involved with Lucky’s Cyber Center, Gamecock I, and Gamecock II.

Land confessed to never filing any taxes related to these businesses, according to Drake’s office. Beyond that, Land deposited money from his gambling business into his roofing business; that he failed to keep records of the money the gambling businesses made, and dealt solely in cash in operating the gambling business.

A calculation of the criminal tax owing is $17,264, $36,918, and $4,221 for tax years 2011, 2012 and 2013 – totaling $58,304, Drake’s office said.

The gambling business operated machines in numerous locations from 2011-14, the machines were in violation of South Carolina’s gambling statute, according to Drake’s office.

The maximum penalty for tax evasion is 5 years in prison and/or a fine of $100,000. The maximum penalty for operating a gambling business is 5 years in prison and/or a fine of $250,000.

Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, of Columbia, will impose a sentence.

This story was originally published January 28, 2018 at 3:52 PM with the headline "Midlands video poker operator could be heading to prison after guilty plea."