Florida Gaming Control Commission shuts down illegal casinos
Over 400 slot machines and cash have been seized from three locations in the Tallahassee area.
US.- The Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) and Leon County Sheriff’s Office have shut down three illegal casinos in the Tallahassee area in an operation dubbed Operation Westside. The Florida Highway Patrol and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations assisted the operation, which led to five arrests and the seizure of $92,167 in cash, 401 illegal gambling machines and related equipment.
Agents seized 95 illegal slot machines and 124 other illegal gambling machines and $55,962 in cash at 6315 Blountstown Highway. At 4979 Blountstown Highway, agents seized 118 illegal slot machines and $16,065 in cash, and at 1907 Lake Bradford Road, agents seized 64 illegal slot machines and $20,140 in cash.
Slot machines in Florida are permitted only in licensed gaming facilities: eight pari-mutuel facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties and six Seminole Tribe of Florida establishments.
Ross Marshman, acting executive director of the Florida Gaming Control Commission, said: “While gambling is strictly regulated in Florida, illegal casinos continue to open and operate in our communities without regard for the law. Partnerships with law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal level are essential to ensure we keep Florida’s communities safe.
“Sheriff McNeil’s leadership and the diligent efforts from the LCSO team were phenomenal in both the investigation and execution of Operation Westside. We are also thankful for the support of Colonel Howze and the Florida Highway Patrol in successfully and safely completing the operation, as well as the swift assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, as three of the individuals affiliated with these illegal casinos were not permitted to be in the country.”
Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil added: “Partnering with the Florida Gaming Control Commission on Operation Westside has resulted in successfully shutting down three illegal casinos in our area, protecting our citizens from establishments that prey on their vulnerabilities and serve as breeding grounds for additional crimes. Collaborative law enforcement efforts, such as these, broaden our impact and strengthen our network.”
Carl Herold, Florida Gaming Control Commission director of Law Enforcement, commented: “Illegal gambling poses serious risks in our communities, and patrons who gamble at these unlawful establishments have no guarantees of fair play or consumer protections, including collecting on their winnings. One of these three facilities in Operation Westside regularly refused to pay out money, and a patron thankfully reported this. Our Gaming Enforcement agents and law enforcement partners will continue to address illegal gambling to protect the safety of our communities, and we thank those who continue to report illegal gambling and illegal casinos through our tip lines.”
In February, FGCC took enforcement action against illegal gambling operations at seven convenience stores in North and Central Florida.
