By
Jerry Smith
Staff Writer Updated: 04/24/2024
Jerry’s greatest advantage is his extensive experience on the casino floor. His time as a casino manager taught him everything about what makes a player tick. Besides being a skilled poker player, he has deep knowledge of all live table games and gambling regulations in the US.
Crackdown on Illegal Slot Machines
It has been reported that officials in Florida are cracking down on illegal slot machines. Florida authorities have initiated a crackdown on illegal slot machines following the signing of legislation by Governor Ron DeSantis recently.
The new law, which is House Bill 5203, gives law enforcement officials the legal right to seize and sell confiscated gaming machines and associated funds, which effectively makes them the property of the state.
Since the enactment of the law, the Florida Gaming Control Commission’s Division of Gaming Enforcement has acted quickly in a bid to carry out raids on businesses suspected of harboring illegal gambling activities.
Assisted by the Florida Highway Patrol and county sheriff’s offices in Hamilton and Jefferson, the FGCC recently executed search warrants at two establishments believed to be operating illegal slot devices.
The raids are said to have been conducted at the Coff33 Café in White Springs and the Rio Arcade in Port St. Lucie, and they resulted in the confiscation of 179 illegal gaming machines and the arrest of five people.
These businesses, along with many others across Florida, have been under scrutiny for allowing customers to gamble for cash or vouchers, which is a practice that violates state gambling laws.
In addition to the legal implications, there are concerns about the secondary criminal activities associated with these establishments. A recent murder outside the Rio Arcade has heightened law enforcement’s resolve to crack down on illegal gambling dens. Officials said that these illegal gambling locations often attract the wrong sort of people, which then leads to a rise in serious crime in the area. An FGCC spokesperson said:
Oftentimes, these types of locations attract secondary crimes that can be detrimental to communities. They have a really negative effect on communities.
It was further claimed that many of these arcades have adopted names and branding associated with Las Vegas, further blurring the lines between legal and illegal operations.
For instance, the Rio Arcade uses the name of the famous Rio Las Vegas, while others like Caesars Arcade and Treasure Island Arcade have also taken their names from hugely famous and popular Las Vegas casino resorts.
With many people having trust in the big Las Vegas names, they are more likely to feel confident about gambling at facilities with similar names. This appears to have become a popular way for illegal operators to attract more people.
In response to the escalating issue, Florida lawmakers are said to be considering further measures to combat illegal gambling in the state. One of the proposals that was highlighted involves increasing penalties for those found guilty of operating unlawful gambling enterprises.
The state Senate has already passed a bill in February that seeks to elevate illegal gambling penalties from a second-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony. According to officials, these legislative and enforcement actions highlight the state’s commitment to upholding its gambling laws and protecting its citizens from the negative effects of illegal gambling activities.
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