111 Illegal Slot Machines and $37K Seized in Lee County
Lee County Sheriff’s Office Cracks Down on Illegal Gambling
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office carried out a major enforcement action on Wednesday, shutting down three illegal gambling venues. Their efforts resulted in the seizure of over 100 slot machines and more than $36,000 in cash connected to unauthorized gambling activities.
Details of the Illegal Gambling Raids
Deputies from the Narcotics Unit, working alongside the Florida Gaming Control Commission, conducted coordinated raids at three establishments in Lee County: Miscue Lounge, Vegas Knights, and Royal Arcade. Each location was found to be operating unauthorized gambling machines that allowed patrons to play slots for real cash winnings, which is against local regulations.
At Miscue Lounge, law enforcement confiscated 10 slot machines and issued a legal notice requiring court appearance. The Vegas Knights operation involved a larger seizure of 48 slot machines along with $21,679 in cash. The largest haul was at Royal Arcade, where 53 slot machines and $15,209 were taken by officers.
Altogether, the raids led to the removal of 111 illegal slot machines and nearly $37,000 in illicit gambling proceeds. The investigation into these illegal gambling operations remains active.
Similar Law Enforcement Actions Nationwide
Earlier this month, another significant crackdown occurred in Monticello, Kentucky, targeting illegal gambling and drug sales. This multi-agency effort, supported by federal agencies including the FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, resulted in two arrests following searches of multiple locations.
In late March, three separate sites in Tallahassee were investigated by the Florida Gaming Control Commission, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Highway Patrol. Investigators confiscated over 100 unlicensed gambling machines that were fully operational, along with approximately $20,000 in cash.
Additionally, in February, the Florida Gaming Control Commission issued cease-and-desist notices to daily fantasy sports operators who were found to be accepting or offering illegal bets within the state.
