Four men were charged with gambling over the weekend when aSaturday night dice game in Brignall was discovered by police,authorities said.

Tommy J. Braxton, 31, of 302 Amite Road; Karal S. Lyons, 21, of1107 Old Brook Road; David K. Williams, 33, of 2417 Ellis Road; andJoshua R. Graham, 18, of 2114 Ellis Road were arrested Saturdaywhen Brookhaven police officers found them allegedly rolling dicefor money at a residence on Ellis Road.

Lincoln County Jail officials said the men were released onbond, with Braxton, Lyons and Williams posting bond on Saturday andGraham on Sunday.

Police Chief Pap Henderson said while arrests for gambling arerare in Brookhaven, it is an illegal activity to play cards, shootdice or play other games of risk for money.

“Gambling in the city of Brookhaven is illegal, especially inthe presence of a law enforcement officer,” he said.

Henderson said the men were shooting dice, which is the mostcommon gambling offense he sees.

“It’s hard to catch people gambling, but when we do, 95 percentof the time it’s shooting dice,” he said.

Henderson said gambling brings a misdemeanor charge and a fine.He said the fine is subject to the discretion of the judge.

Games such as poker that are played for chips or points arelegal, Henderson said, but the law comes in when there is any kindof monetary stakes.

“If you’re turning the chips into money at the end of the game,yes, it’s still illegal,” he said. “If it’s for anything ofmonetary value, it’s illegal.”

Henderson said even games where currency like pennies andnickels are used as chips or stakes are still in violation of thelaw.

“Personally, to me, it’s all still gaming,” he said.