LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Jefferson County Circuit Court judge has issued a restraining order to prevent the state of Kentucky from disabling electronic pull-tab devices used by charitable gaming organizations like Shirley's Way in Louisville.
Judge Annie O'Connell's order came days after The Kentucky Horse Racing & Gaming's Office of Charitable Gaming (KHRG) moved to disable electronic pull-tab devices manufactured by Light & Wonder Gaming and Creative Game Technologies, after allegations of illegal "fishing" activities on the devices. Tens of thousands of dollars were stolen.
The fishing activities involved inserting and then pulling money back out of gaming machines using plastic lines, which causes the machine to credit more money than was actually deposited.
"They used a laminated $100 bill and fishing line," Shirley's Way operator Mike Mulrooney told WDRB on Monday. "They put the money into the machine. Once the machine recognized the money, they pulled the $100 bill back out, racking up thousands of dollars."
The KHRG said the organizations using the machines failed to put adequate security measures in place to prevent the thefts.
"While those engaged in the fishing ultimately are responsible for the theft, organizations licensed by KHRG failed to appropriately prevent the criminal activity," the order said.
In a statement, Light & Wonder said it had updated security on the electronic devices.
"Light & Wonder is re-activating all charitable gaming devices in coordination with our charitable customers. Enhanced security features have been installed to detect and deter the illegal activity, which temporarily impacted less than 1% of all Grover machines deployed in Kentucky. Grover’s quality games are critical in supporting the fundraising initiatives of our charitable partners. We will proudly continue to support the important work of Kentucky's charities."
Shirley's Way is a nonprofit organization started in 2014 that's focused on raising money for cancer patients. It was left reeling by the state's order to shut down all the machines until an audit could be completed.
"That's about 90% of our gaming machines around Louisville, and that's going to basically shut Shirley's Way down," Mulrooney said.
Mulrooney said the games are the nonprofit's primary source of funding. That funding goes towards helping cancer patients, feeding 3,500 kids every Friday, kid's programs, little leagues, reading programs, homeless initiatives and more.
"Every bit of that has ended right now because all of our funding has been permanently stopped, and I'm not too sure we see a path forward," said Mulrooney.
The judge's restraining order was issued Nov. 25, after Shirley's Way -- along with the Southwest Center for the Developmentally Disabled, Inc. and Educational Justice Inc. -- filed a complaint for injunctive relief stating that they are injured, and will continue to be injured, by the state's action. The complaint also says the state acted unconstitutionally when ordering the games to be disabled.
The order directs the plaintiffs and KHRG to appear in court Dec. 8 "to discuss a briefing and hearing schedule." The injunction will remain in effect until a judge issues a ruling on the plaintiffs' complaint.
Top stories:
Fallen tree limbs cause thousands to lose power in southern Indiana early Wednesday
Man charged after October shooting in Louisville’s Russell neighborhood
Video shows Jeffersonville High School teacher putting student in headlock
Texas man vowed to make Jeff Brohm’s life ‘miserable’ over $80K gambling loss, records show
Copyright 2025 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
