The owner of a "mini-casino" in Smiths has taken out a writ against Customs following the recent crackdown on gaming machines.

Neil Inchcup, who runs the "Seamont Exclusive" club from his home in Collectors Hill, took out the writ in connection with a search warrant obtained by Customs.

Customs and Police officers have confiscated more than 300 gaming machines across the Island and substantial amounts of cash in the past week in an investigation into claims that illegal spare parts have been imported to be used in the machines. The Seamont Exclusive advertised itself in 2000 as offering a "Vegas" experience to gamblers.

Billed as a private members club, it advertised as having gaming machines, poker tables, one armed bandits, free refreshments, a marble pool, private parties and 24 hour activity.

Mr. Inchcup's writ against Customs is in "the matter of a search warrant pursuant to the Revenue Act 1898 and in the matter of the Prohibition of Gaming Machines Act 2001".

Mr. Inchcup's solicitor Llewellyn Peniston said last night: "The matter is sub-judice, but the substance of the action has been largely satisfied."

Meanwhile, Police have issued a warning to businesses as they continue their crackdown on illegally modified gaming machines.

Earlier this week, more than 350 gambling machines had been seized, along with a large quantity of cash and scores of parts, in the joint Customs and Police investigation into the operation of illegal gaming houses.

Searches of numerous premises have been carried out since last Thursday in relation to the Prohibition of Gaming Act 2001, which made it illegal for anyone to upgrade or repair existing gaming machines on the Island.

It is not illegal to operate a gambling machine, but it is now illegal to repair them.

The idea of the legislation was that gaming machines would become defunct over time, eventually putting an end to gambling on the Island.

Police spokesman Dwayne Caines said: "To date, the joint squad has seized large quantities of cash; over 250 gaming machines and a large quantity of parts, believed to be destined for placement inside gaming machines.

"The joint squad has also executed multiple search warrants at residences, licensed premises and clubs."

And he said the team will continue to investigate infringements of the law, and will ultimately forward a case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

He added: "The Bermuda Police Service would like to remind businesses that operation of gaming machines that have been modified since June 27, 2001, whether on licensed premises or not, may constitute an offence, and that the existing legislation carries harsh penalties for infractions of the law."

Assistant Collector of Customs Larry Conn said last week that the the agency had noticed in recent months a number of consignments of spare parts being brought into the Island, which had been declared for use in video machines.

However, The Royal Gazette understands that that mushrooming of gambling joints on the Island had prompted Police and Customs to suspect that the parts were, in fact, being used to repair and upgrade gaming units.

All of the machines seized are to be inspected for new additional parts.