LEWISTON – A local fraternal group was charged this week with allowing an illegal gambling operation at their Sabattus Street headquarters.

The Lewiston Eagles Aerie 618 was indicted by a grand jury on three felony counts and four misdemeanor counts of unlawful gambling.

The more serious of the charges allege that on three occasions late last year, the group took in more than $1,000 a day through gambling activities.

At issue is the use of video gambling machines at the Eagles building at 1327 Sabattus St. According to court documents, the group allowed gamblers to accept cash winnings as the result of video games of chance.

“The machines themselves are not illegal,” said Maine State Police spokesman Stephen McCausland. “But when the prizes are cash, that’s when it crosses the line.”

The indictments handed up Wednesday were the result of an investigation by the Maine State Police Gaming and Weapons unit. McCausland said police began investigating the Lewiston Eagles after a resident complained of illegal gambling at their Sabattus Street building.

A state police investigator went into the club and discovered that two video gambling machines were paying out cash prizes. Police did not seize the machines, but Eagles officers were ordered to stop offering money as winnings.

If convicted on the gambling charges, the Eagles could face fines and they could lose their right to operate games of chance on the premises.

In recent years, state police investigators have cracked down on illegal gambling, often raiding businesses and fraternal groups.

Other chapters of the Eagles around the state have been busted in previous raids. In 1999, the Biddeford Eagles Aerie 804 was raided, and police seized video machines, bar receipts and cash. That group eventually paid a $15,000 fine.

As part of the same investigation, bars and hotels in Old Orchard, Saco and Biddeford were raided, as was an American Legion post in Portland.