Florida gaming officials raided two locations accused of running illegal casinos in St. Petersburg, according to the Florida Gaming Control Commission.
The agency says it led search warrants on the Action Arcade, located on 54th Avenue North, and The Zoo Sports Club and Grille on 66th Street North.
The FGCC called the raids “Operation Final Spin,” teaming up with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Highway Patrol, and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco.
The agency reports it seized 90 machines and $142,020 from Action Arcade, where two people were also charged with possession of slot machines and keeping a gambling house.
At The Zoo, agents seized 73 machines and $105,265. One person was charged with possession of slot machines and being 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 (R-Seminole) said in a statement announcing the operation. “Removing 163 machines and nearly $250,000 in cash from these operators is about protecting the most vulnerable members of our community.”
This is the latest crackdown on illegal gambling in the Tampa Bay area. In July, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office reported a second gambling bust at the same location in Bradenton. Last September, two St. Petersburg locations had slot machines and money seized in a separate illegal gambling crackdown by the FGCC.
If you would like to report any suspected illegal gambling activities, you can click here, email Contact@FLGaming.gov or call (850) 880-3433.