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LEXINGTON COUNTY (WACH) - Nine video gambling devices were seized by authorities on Monday near West Columbia.

Detectives with the Lexington County Sheriff's Department along with South Carolina Law Enforcement Division agents found the machines were being operated at two convenience stores on U.S. 321 and Charleston Highway. Detectives also seized $683.

Sheriff James Metts says a magistrate must determine whether each individual gambling device is illegal.

At one El Cheapo store, six devices were found in a hidden room at the store. At a second El Cheapo store, three devices were found in two small rooms at the back of the store behind a door that was marked for "Employees Only," according to Metts.

Surveillance video cameras were taken from the second store.

Metts asks anyone with additional information about video gambling devices to contact CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.