He has filed police reports, contacted local officials and requested assistance from the state Attorney General's Office. His efforts prompted the removal of Clown Town games in Livonia and Dearborn Heights. In 1999, the Texas-based manufacturer of Clown Town sued Margittay in Wayne County Circuit Court, claiming he had defamed the game. The case was dismissed. Local police are responsible for checking games but generally do not do so unless a complaint is filed.
Arrests are rare.
Complaints are infrequent because players and police are not aware of state gaming laws, or players are too embarrassed to admit they've been cheated, Margittay said. In 1987, Margittay received training in the detection of illegal carnival games by a unit of the state Attorney General's Office. The unit has been disbanded.