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Read Full BioThe St. Petersburg Police Department and Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) have shut down two illegal gaming arcades, seizing slot machines, cash, and arresting two.
The latest two arcades were the Fun Arcade, located at 901 16th Street South, and the 49th Street Arcade, at 800 49th Street South.
The state continues to play whac-a-mole with gambling arcades, shutting them down only for them to reopen, often under new names.
At the Fun Arcade, police reported seizing 30 illegal slot machines and five fish tables along with $15,654 in cash. Agents arrested Ghazwan Samaan and Anthony Jamel Abuead, and each was charged with possession of slot machines and keeping a gambling house.
The business appears to have been operational for some time. A one-star Google Review of the venue from three years ago writes, “Don’t go here they will rip u off your money.” While another from the same time states, “The machines were not paying at all.”
At the 49th Street Arcade, agents seized 29 illegal slot machines and one fish table, along with $4,266 in cash. Officers arrested Angela D. Sutton, who faces the same charges as Samaan and Abuead.
Authorities Committed to Removing Illegal Machines
In a statement, Chief of St. Petersburg Police Anthony Holloway said, “Thanks to the continued support of our state partners, we remain steadfast in our commitment to removing illegal gaming machines from our community. We will not allow these unlawful operations to undermine the safety and well-being of our residents.”
L. Carl Herold, Director of Gaming Enforcement at the FGCC, similarly stated, “These coordinated operations demonstrate the FGCC’s continued commitment to eliminating illegal gambling enterprises that undermine our regulated gaming industry and negatively impact Florida communities.
“Casinos and slot machines are only authorized in specific licensed facilities in Florida. Any other operation is unlawful, and we will pursue it vigorously.”
Police Used Raids to Set Up Illegal Gambling Operations
Gambling arcade raids by police are not always what they seem, however. Some raids have been used to establish illegal businesses with police protection. Sheriff Marcos Lopez of Osceola County was arrested in June for his part in facilitating a gambling operation that generated $21 million.
This week, text messages emerged showing that Lopez arranged raids on venues to use for the illegal operation. He messaged one of the gambling ring leaders, Krishna Deokaran, “We did a raid. I shut the place down. It’s ours.”
The location became the Eclipse Social Club in Kissimmee, which was at the center of the illegal gambling operation.
Lopez also promised to use his position to protect the business. In another message to accomplices, he wrote, “You will be safe and not have to worry about anything because I will be your sheriff.”
Lopez will appear in court on Oct. 20 in Lake County.
