ADULT ARCADES ACCUSING THEM OF PREYING ON LOW-INCOME SENIORS. YOU’RE WATCHING THE MOMENTS THAT POLICE SWARM THE PIRATE’S TREASURE ARCADE OFF DEL PRADO BOULEVARD LAST NIGHT. THEY CONFISCATED THOSE SLOT MACHINES. OUR CREWS THERE LAST NIGHT. NOTICE THAT THE SECURITY CAMERAS HAD BEEN PULLED OFF THE WALLS AND A LOT OF ZIP TIES ON THE GROUND AS WELL, POSSIBLY FOR EVIDENCE. >> CAPE CORAL POLICE RAIDED 2 LOCATIONS. THIS MAP SHOWS 10 ARCADES. SHUTTERED IN LEE COUNTY AND THE LAST 2 MONTHS. BUT IS IT ILLEGAL GAMBLING? POLICE ARE AFTER OR SOMETHING MORE SINISTER. GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER KENNEDY MASON IS LIVE OFF DEL PRADO BOULEVARD. BUT THE ANSWER KENNEDY. >> WE HAVE SEEN PEOPLE TRYING TO COME TO THE PIRATE TREASURE ARCADE ALL DAY TODAY. BUT YOU CAN SEE THAT THE BUZZER IS PULLED OUT OF THE WALL AND THE DOORS HERE ARE CLOSED. >> I’M ANGRY, VERY ANGRY. TAKE US. SAYS ANGRY BECAUSE WE RETIRED PEOPLE. >> WE ARE BEING DEPRIVED HAVING GOOD TIME. BUT SAYS IT ALWAYS WIN AT THESE ARCADES, LIKE THE PIRATE TREASURE ARCADE. GORGEOUS COCA-COLA COSBY, PUT HER IN CONCEPTUALLY SLOT. MACHINES ARE INTERESTING. FASCINATING AND FUN TO PLAY. ATTORNEY KEVIN DZERZHINSK E SPECIALIZES IN GAMING AND GAMBLING. HE SAYS THE PROBLEM IS THERE’S A LOT OF MONEY TO BE MADE RUNNING AN ARCADE, THESE GAMES, CAPE CORAL POLICE CONFIRMED THEY SEIZED 139 ILLEGAL SLOT MACHINES FROM THIS ARCADE. AND ANOTHER ONE ON SOUTH EAST 47TH STREET LAST NIGHT. PLUS $176,000 WAS AN INTERESTING SCENARIO. THEY WERE THERE AND WHAT I WOULD CALL FULL FORCE. >> WAS LIKE AN ARMORED VEHICLE, SKI MASKS, SOME WEAPONS. IN HAD PEOPLE OUTSIDE LINED UP FRONT OF THE BUILDING, TALKING TO SOME OF THE CUSTOMERS THAT ARE OUT THERE BACK IN AUGUST. WE SHOWED YOU CAPE CORAL POLICE FROM NEW MACHINES FROM 6 OTHER ARCADES IN THE CITY. DZERZHINSK. HE SAYS IT’S EASY FOR THESE ARCADES TO GET AWAY WITH BECAUSE THE PUNISHMENT IS A MISDEMEANOR, NOT A FELONY. >> SO IT’S A LUCRATIVE MINIMAL. PENALTY FOR DOING IT AND YOU’VE GOT READY, WILLING AND ABLE PARTICIPANTS. >> CAPE CORAL POLICE WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR OWNING AND OPERATING THESE CASINOS IS ILLEGAL. THEY SAY MORE CHARGES ARE EXPECTED AS THEY CONTINUE REVIEWING EVIDENCE. I’M LIVE IN CAPE CORAL, KENNEDY, MASON, BOTH CAN SNOOZE. >> THE FLORIDA GAMING COMMISSION SEES 109 ILLEGAL SLOT MACHINES FROM 2 SOUTH FORT MYERS ARCADE
Cape Coral police seize hundreds of illegal slot machines from 2 arcades
Updated: 6:12 PM EDT Oct 9, 2025
Cape Coral police confiscated 139 illegal slot machines and $176,000 from two arcades, sparking community reactions and highlighting legal loopholes.Cape Coral police seized 139 illegal slot machines and $176,000 from the Pirate Treasure Arcade and another location on Southeast 47th Street last night, marking a significant crackdown on illegal gambling operations in the area.Gulf Coast News was there Wednesday night as police were inside this arcade. We saw slot machines loaded on two moving trucks.Joe Hooper, owner of Fat Boys Pizza and Subs, said the scene was intense.”They were there in what I would call full force,” Hooper said. “It looked like an armored vehicle, ski masks, some weapons, and had people outside lined up in front of the building, talking to some of the customers that were out there.””I’m angry, very angry,” said Takus Ryks, a Cape Coral resident and gambler. “We are retired people. We are being deprived of having a good time.”Ryks said he doesn’t always win at these arcades, though.”I do say sometimes, hey, boy, this Coca-Cola cost me $400,” Ryks said. “You know what I mean?”Attorney Kevin Jursinski, who specializes in gaming and gambling, explained the allure of these machines.”Conceptually, slot machines are interesting, fascinating and fun to play,” Jursinski said.He also said there are financial incentives.”There’s a lot of money to be made running an arcade with these games,” he said.Cape Coral police removed machines from six other arcades in the city back in August.Jursinski said the problem is that the punishment is a misdemeanor, not a felony.”It’s a lucrative, minimal penalty for doing it,” he said. “You’ve got ready, willing and able participants.”Cape Coral police emphasized that owning and operating these casinos is illegal and stated that additional charges are expected as they continue to examine evidence.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
Cape Coral police confiscated 139 illegal slot machines and $176,000 from two arcades, sparking community reactions and highlighting legal loopholes.
Cape Coral police seized 139 illegal slot machines and $176,000 from the Pirate Treasure Arcade and another location on Southeast 47th Street last night, marking a significant crackdown on illegal gambling operations in the area.
Gulf Coast News was there Wednesday night as police were inside this arcade. We saw slot machines loaded on two moving trucks.
Joe Hooper, owner of Fat Boys Pizza and Subs, said the scene was intense.
“They were there in what I would call full force,” Hooper said. “It looked like an armored vehicle, ski masks, some weapons, and had people outside lined up in front of the building, talking to some of the customers that were out there.”
“I’m angry, very angry,” said Takus Ryks, a Cape Coral resident and gambler. “We are retired people. We are being deprived of having a good time.”
Ryks said he doesn’t always win at these arcades, though.
“I do say sometimes, hey, boy, this Coca-Cola cost me $400,” Ryks said. “You know what I mean?”
Attorney Kevin Jursinski, who specializes in gaming and gambling, explained the allure of these machines.
“Conceptually, slot machines are interesting, fascinating and fun to play,” Jursinski said.
He also said there are financial incentives.
“There’s a lot of money to be made running an arcade with these games,” he said.
Cape Coral police removed machines from six other arcades in the city back in August.
Jursinski said the problem is that the punishment is a misdemeanor, not a felony.
“It’s a lucrative, minimal penalty for doing it,” he said. “You’ve got ready, willing and able participants.”
Cape Coral police emphasized that owning and operating these casinos is illegal and stated that additional charges are expected as they continue to examine evidence.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.