Sheriff Alleges Fun Zone For Kids Was Front For Illegal Gambling

SPRING HILL, FL – It’s known as the Fun Zone, a place for Spring Hill parents to host birthday parties for rambunctious kids. But the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office discovered there’s a lot more going on at the Fun Zone than mini golf and whack-a-mole.

On Tuesday, March 27, the sheriff’s vice and narcotics unit served a search warrant on the Fun Zone at 404 Suzanne Drive after discovering that some of the innocent-looking arcade games for children bore a striking resemblance to casino slot machines.

During an investigation of the Fun Zone, detectives found the business was operating an illegal gambling establishment in addition to serving hot dogs and birthday cake to kids.

In addition to offering electronic games of chance, detectives claim the business is being used to launder money, commit fraud and evade taxes.

Among the tip-offs, said detectives, was the fact that the Fun Zone was operating as a cash-only business. However, when questioned, employees could not produce all of the records to account for the cash on the premises, according to the sheriff.

Detectives seized $6,753 in cash, multiple computers and numerous documents relating to the operation.

The sheriff’s office expect to make arrests shortly.

Image via Fun Zone website