Police Uncover Illegal Gambling Den in Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville, North Carolina – A joint investigation by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office Organized Crime Unit and the DEA has resulted in the closure of an illegal gambling den in Fayetteville. Authorities arrested 65-year-old Sung Jing Park, who is accused of running the operation.

The investigation, initiated by a CrimeStoppers tip from a Cumberland County resident, led officers to execute search warrants on Thursday at two locations. One site was located in the 800 block of Castle Hayne Road, and the other in the 3100 block of Harmony Hall Way.

During the searches, deputies discovered multiple gambling and slot machines. As a result, Park faces several felony charges related to illegal gambling, including the unregistered operation of more than five gambling machines and the manufacturing or selling of slot machines.

Park was taken into custody and is being held on a $20,000 secured bond. His first court appearance is scheduled for Friday at 2:30 p.m.

Previous Incident in Fayetteville

This is not the first time Fayetteville has seen an illegal gambling operation shut down. Approximately one year prior, in August 2025, a similar case led to the arrest of Sang Hyun Sung, then 50 years old. Sung was arrested on outstanding warrants for allegedly operating video gaming machines and manufacturing slot machines.

In that instance, investigators, with assistance from Homeland Security agents, executed search warrants at two other Fayetteville locations: one in the 700 block of W. Rowan Street and another in the 4400 block of Bragg Boulevard. Authorities seized $40,822 in cash, 16 standalone gambling machines, and 60 computers believed to be used in various illegal gaming activities. Investigators have not confirmed any connection between the two cases.

Impact on Local Gambling Regulations

While this bust involved illegal operations, North Carolina has recently seen changes in its legal gambling landscape. Governor Josh Stein signed a new budget that introduced a 6% fee on revenue earned by prediction market operators, impacting platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket.

This enforcement action against illegal gambling dens highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to police illicit gaming activities within the state, separate from the regulated market. For video poker enthusiasts, such news underscores the distinction between legal forms of gaming and illegal operations that pose risks to the public and undermine regulated markets.

Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|—|—|
| Arrested Individual | Sung Jing Park, 65 |
| Charges | Unregistered operation of more than five gambling machines, manufacturing/selling slot machines |
| Locations Searched | 800 block of Castle Hayne Road and 3100 block of Harmony Hall Way, Fayetteville, NC |
| Bond | $20,000 secured bond |
| Previous Incident | Sang Hyun Sung arrested in August 2025 for similar charges |

Source: GamblingNews – https://www.gamblingnews.com/news/police-bust-illegal-gambling-operation-in-fayetteville-north-carolina/

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