HPD doubles down, busts second Harrison gambling joint this month

Published 4:00 am Wednesday, July 8, 2026

HARRISON – Chief Chris Graddy of the Harrison Police Department issued a press release outlining the execution of a search warrant on June 29. It marks the second search of a local business in June, believed to have been involved in unlicensed gambling machines.

The morning of June 29, members of the Harrison Police Department, along with the 14th Judicial District Drug Task Force, executed a search warrant at the Internet Cafe and Sweepstakes located at 123 Industrial Park Road in Harrison. 

The search is the result of an ongoing investigation into reports of unlicensed gambling machines and “related criminal activity” occurring on the premises. Graddy reported that officers seized multiple items of evidence, including electronic gaming devices, financial records and cash believed to be connected to illegal gambling operations.

Graddy said charges will be submitted after all evidence is processed. 

The Harrison PD conducted a search warrant on the first location earlier in June. Located at 125 Industrial Park Road, the two businesses are a card’s throw away from each other. 

Despite their proximity, a representative from the Harrison Police Department said that the two operations were run by different parties. When asked why the two warrants were served weeks apart, the representative said they needed time to process the evidence collected from the first location. 

Those seeking to gamble in unlicensed facilities are reminded that Arkansas Code § 5-66-106 makes it unlawful to bet money on prohibited gambling devices. 

Sarah Hacker, 62, was arrested last Wednesday morning and charged with keeping a gambling house, a class D felony, and three misdemeanors. 

This arrest was in response to the first Internet Cafe and Sweepstakes raided by the Harrison Police Department in early June. An investigation generated reports of unlicensed gambling machines at the business, located at 125 Industrial Park Road.

According to Arkansas state law, the charge of keeping a gambling house occurs when a person keeps, conducts, or operates a place where gambling is carried on; sets up, keeps, or exhibits gambling devices; or is directly or indirectly interested in running or setting up a gambling device. 

Class D felonies can carry a sentence of no more than six years and fines up to $10,000.