Illegal Gambling Arcade Raided, Shut Down: Manatee County Sheriff

BRADENTON, FL — Detectives raided an illegal gambling arcade on Sept. 14, shutting it down, according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Equipment and cash were seized from Spin City Arcade, 3304 1st Street W., Bradenton when the agency’s intel and strategic unit detectives and agents from the Florida Gaming Control Commission raided the arcade with a search warrant.

Thirty-three full-size arcade-style video slot machines, 62 computers and other equipment, as well as $15,000 in cash were taken from the arcade.

• Also Read: Illegal Gaming Sting Targets Locations Across Florida: Commission

The agencies previously warned the business to stop its illegal gambling activities, MCSO said.

“These businesses have been warned and given ample opportunity to comply with the law. If they are not going to shut down their illegal operations, then we will do it for them,” Sheriff Rick Wells said.

In May, detectives began investigating businesses, known as game rooms, operating with illegal slot machines. More than 50 gambling establishments were identified, and deputies delivered cease-and-desist letters to the businesses warning the owners they could face up to five years in prison and be fined as much as $10,000 per machine for failing to comply with the law.

Since then, most of these businesses have voluntarily closed their doors, MCSO said.