(Updated 4:30 p.m. 3-4) Bowling Green police seized property from The Rabbits Foot, 111 S. Main St.,
Bowling Green, Friday morning.
Police in uniform and work clothes were busy hauling video game machines out the back door.
The business, with “Grand Opening” still painted on the front window, had just recently opened.
According to police, they were executing a search warrant as a result of an ongoing investigation of
possible violations of Ohio gambling laws.
The items “including electronic devices were seized as evidence relating to apparent violations of Ohio
gambling laws.”
Business owner Matt Stieldenner said late Friday afternoon he is confident that the police are making a
mistake.
“I am doing the same thing as the guy down the street. That guy sells Internet time, I sell phone cards.
The cops are ignorant to the law and ruining my business. It’s unjust and they have no right,”
Stieldenner said.
The “business down the street” is located on Napoleon Road just off South Main Street.
Bowling Green Prosecutor Matt Reger said that police officers came to him after they reported being able
to gamble on the machines. “We looked at the statute and found probable cause to execute a search. We
will look at what we have got and then confer with police on possible charges.”
A decision on how to move forward will likely be made next week.
Reger said authorities have looked at the business on Napoleon Road but so far believe it is in
compliance with the law.
“This has happened to 20 other people in the last year,” Stieldenner said, noting similar busts which
have occurred in Toledo, Columbus and Cleveland. He says those cases have all been overturned, and is
confident this will not stand up as well.
“You buy a phone card, I let you play the games. He’s doing the same thing, you buy the Internet, then
play.”
The arcade advertised that it offered “sweepstakes games” and invited customers to enter a “$200 raffle.”

The dozens of machines were being loaded three or four at a time into the back of a city pickup truck,
equipped with a hydraulic lift, and moving them to an undisclosed location.