Two Fort Myers, Florida-based casinos were raided Wednesday as part of a joint police case that saw 134 slot machines and the seizure of “more than $22,000.”
Both companies, Royal Arcade and Spinners Arcade, operated illegal machines in the state of Florida. Royal Arcade lost 72 machines, as well as $3,100.
It also saw the arrest of an employee, Sonia Pimentel. She was released from prison on November 5.
Spinners Arcade lost 62 machines and $19,858 in cash. According to online searches, both businesses appear to still be open.
This is the second major raid in a matter of weeks for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO), the last one seeing a seizure of 111 machines and $36,888 in cash.
In September, police also raided two other illegal gambling locations in Fort Myers with the assistance of the LCSO.
Florida law enforcement responds to gambling raids
Quoted on the Facebook video post used by the LCSO to announce the success of the raids, Sheriff Carmine Marceno said:
“These illegal gambling halls are poisoning our neighborhoods and only encouraging more crime,” said Sheriff Carmine Marceno. “My priority is keeping our community safe – and that means shutting down all operations that profit from illegal gambling. »
Florida Gaming Control Commission Executive Director Alana Zimmer added:
“We thank the Lee County Sheriff’s Office for partnering with the Florida Gaming Control Commission to shut down these illegal gaming establishments in our state.
“We are warning those who wish to operate illegal gambling facilities that we will find you and shut you down. »
Florida law enforcement has increased searches of businesses suspected of housing illegal machines. As previously mentioned, we only reported on LCSO raids on other businesses in October.
Outside of LCSO’s reach, law enforcement agencies in Cape Coral and St. Petersburg have both conducted raids in recent weeks and months. Hundreds of machines have been seized as Florida continues its crackdown.
Featured Image: LCSO
Florida’s gambling crackdown continues as 134 more slot machines seized appeared first on ReadWrite.
