ST. PETERSBURG, FL — State and local authorities seized 163 illegal slot machines and more than $247,000 in cash during an initiative called "Operation Final Spin" at two St. Petersburg businesses, the Florida Gaming Control Commission said in a news release.
The raids took place Sept. 10 at Action Arcade, 6541 54th Ave. N., and The Zoo Sports Club and Grille, 5111 66th St. N.
The FGCC conducted the searches in partnership with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, Florida Highway Patrol, and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation's Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco.
At Action Arcade, investigators seized 90 slot machines and $142,020 in cash, the commission said. Two people there were issued notices to appear, and each faces one count of possession of slot machines and one count of keeping a gambling house.
At The Zoo, authorities seized 73 slot machines and $105,265 in cash. One person there was issued a notice to appear on charges of possession of slot machines and acting as an agent or employee of a gambling house.
"These machines are designed to take advantage of people, and far too often that means senior citizens living on fixed incomes who can least afford to lose what they have," state Rep. Berny Jacques said in a statement. "Removing 163 machines and nearly $250,000 in cash from these operators is about protecting the most vulnerable members of our community."
The commission has shut down more than 200 illegal arcades across Florida during Operation Final Spin.
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