Joint Operation by Gaming Commission and Police Leads to Seizures and Arrests
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.– The Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC), in a coordinated effort with the St. Petersburg Police Department, has successfully dismantled two illegal arcade operations, seizing dozens of unlawful gambling machines and thousands of dollars in cash.
The enforcement actions, which took place on September 16, resulted in four arrests and underscore the state’s commitment to combating illegal gambling.
According to a statement from the FGCC, agents targeted two separate locations operating as illegal arcades. At the “Fun Arcade,” located at 901 16th Street South, authorities seized 30 illegal slot machines and five “fish tables”—gambling video game tables—along with $15,654 in cash. Two individuals, Ghazwan Samaan and Anthony Jamel Abuead, were arrested and charged with one count each of Possession of Slot Machines and Keeping a Gambling House.
A second raid was conducted at the “49th Street Arcade” at 800 49th Street South. There, agents confiscated 29 illegal slot machines and one fish table, in addition to $4,266 in cash. Angela D. Sutton was taken into custody and faces the same charges: Possession of Slot Machines and Keeping a Gambling House.
“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,” stated L. Carl Herold, Director of Gaming Enforcement. Herold emphasized that slot machines and casinos are only legal in specific licensed facilities within Florida, and all other operations are considered unlawful. “We will pursue it vigorously,” he added.
St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway commended the partnership, stating, “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.”
Florida law strictly regulates gambling, permitting slot machines only at eight pari-mutuel facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties and six establishments operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The recent enforcement actions serve as a stark reminder of the legal boundaries surrounding gambling in the state.
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