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Two men charged with illegal gambling ring inside Putt Putt’s Bar

Posted at 4:38 PM, Aug 17, 2015
and last updated 2015-08-17 16:38:47-04

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Two men were in Kent County Court Monday facing four charges related to running an illegal gambling ring out of Putt Putt's Bar in Grand Rapids.

Barry Lott, 66, of Byron Center, and Mark Stouten, 73, of Grand Rapids face charges of selling pools and registering bets, possession of gambling paraphernalia, taking bets, and conspiracy to gamble.   They face up to eight years in prison and $13,000 in fines.

In addition, Stouten faces a fifth charge related to be a repeat felony offender.

Police told FOX 17 that in late May they received a tip last year of illegal betting going on inside Putt Putt's Bar on W. Fulton Street.  Undercover officers trailed the men last fall and, according to court documents, watched the men conduct gambling business at the bar.

The officers say they even made bets with the men.  Both men were released on personal recognizance bonds of $10,000 and are due back back in court on Aug. 28.  Police said late Monday the Kent County Prosecutor's office was searching for a third person in connection with the gambling, but they expected that person to turn themselves in.