BRADENTON, Fla. — The Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC), with assistance from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and Homeland Security Investigations, dismantled a multi-location illegal gambling operation last week, resulting in the seizure of 265 illegal gambling machines, more than $120,000 in illegal gambling proceeds, multiple criminal charges, and the filing of immigration detainers.
Operation Silent Spin resulted in the following seizures:
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155 illegal slot machines and approximately $78,483 from Spin City Arcade
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61 illegal slot machines and approximately $24,157 from an unnamed arcade
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49 illegal slot machines and approximately $18,157 from Mike’s Arcade
The enforcement action comes amid growing public safety concerns surrounding illegal gambling houses operating throughout Florida. Last month, the MCSO investigated an armed robbery and shooting at an illegal gambling house in which a customer was shot multiple times. The incident underscored the dangers often associated with underground gambling operations, including large amounts of cash, limited security, weapons, drugs, trafficking, and predatory schemes targeting unsuspecting patrons.
“These illegal gambling businesses are not harmless storefront operations. They attract crime, generate illicit cash economies, and create serious public safety risks for surrounding communities,” said L. Carl Herold, Director of Gaming Enforcement for the FGCC. “Operation Silent Spin sends a clear message: if you are operating illegal gambling in Florida, we are coming for your machines, your money, and your criminal enterprise. As illegal gambling activity continues to grow statewide, including in southwest Florida, the FGCC remains committed to aggressively dismantling these operations before they evolve into larger organized criminal networks.”
The FGCC has continued to advocate for expanded enforcement resources to combat the rapid growth of illegal gambling operations statewide. As state lawmakers return to Tallahassee this week to decide on a budget, they will consider one of the FGCC’s legislative budget requests to create additional dedicated gaming enforcement squads, including a proposed squad focused on southwest Florida, where illegal gambling activity has greatly increased.
“Southwest Florida has seen one of the highest increases in illegal gambling activity in the state and is a prime location for our next enforcement squad,” said Julie Brown, Chair of the FGCC. “As these operations continue to spread, the Commission must ensure it has the personnel and regional presence necessary to investigate complaints quickly, support local law enforcement partners, and protect Florida communities through sustained enforcement efforts.”
Any concerns about illegal gambling activities or facilities in Florida can be reported online at FLGaming.gov/File-a-Report, by email at Tipline@FLGaming.gov, or by phone at 850-880-3433.
