Authorities shut down the Spin City Arcade in undercover illegal gambling bust
As illegal gambling establishment busts continue in Manatee County, authorities have shut down the Spin City Arcade in Bradenton as part of an undercover operation.
Detectives from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office's Intel and Strategic Unit and agents from the Florida Gaming Control Commission executed a search warrant on the Spin City Arcade on Thursday. They removed 33 arcade-style video slot machines, 62 computers, and other electronic equipment, as well as $15,000 in illegal proceeds. The business owner is under investigation and charges are pending.
More: Manatee County Sheriff's Office seizes $52,000 in illegal proceeds during game room bust
Detectives began investigating businesses known as game rooms in May. More than 50 gambling establishments were identified in Manatee County, and deputies delivered cease and desist letters 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. To date, most of these businesses have voluntarily closed their doors.
It is the second illegal gambling establishment shut down by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office this year. MCSO also raided the Sizzling Sam's Arcade in July as part of the ongoing effort after it also did not shut down operations.
“These businesses have been warned and given ample opportunity to comply with the law," Sheriff Rick Wells said in a statement. "If they are not going to shut down their illegal operations, then we will do it for them.”
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Authorities shut down the Spin City Arcade in illegal gambling bust
