Comptroller Peter Franchot has upped the ante in his crusade against slot machine gambling, telling 7,200 retail alcohol licensees that his agents would now be hunting for illegal gaming devices.

“Inspectors and agents of the Comptroller’s Office will be aggressively conducting inspections of licensed facilities,” Franchot told the dealers in a June 11 letter. “These inspectors and agents have been instructed to look for indications of illegal gaming in addition to any alcohol violations using Maryland criminal law as a guide.”