Hundreds of illegal gambling machines seized in Manatee raids, officials say
State, local and federal authorities raided three Manatee County arcades accused of illegal gambling, seizing 265 arcade machines and more than $120,000 in cash, according to the Florida Gaming Control Commission.
The sting, dubbed Operation Silent Spin, involved the Florida Gaming Control Commission, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations. Officials said the operation resulted in multiple criminal charges, the seizure of alleged illegal gambling proceeds and requests to hold some suspects for federal immigration authorities.
Investigators said they seized 155 illegal slot machines and about $78,483 from Spin City Arcade and 49 illegal slot machines and about $18,157 from Mike’s Arcade, both in Bradenton. Authorities also seized 61 illegal slot machines and about $24,157 from an unnamed arcade.
Investigators said the operation comes amid growing concerns about public safety risks tied to illegal gambling houses operating throughout Florida. Last month, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office investigated an armed robbery and shooting at Mega Arcade on U.S. 41 South in which a customer was shot multiple times.
Authorities said underground gambling operations are often associated with large amounts of cash, limited security, weapons, drugs, trafficking and schemes targeting customers.
“These illegal gambling businesses are not harmless storefront operations,” L. Carl Herold, director of gaming enforcement for the commission, said in the release. “They attract crime, generate illicit cash economies, and create serious public safety risks for surrounding communities.”
Officials raid local arcades
Herold said Operation Silent Spin sends a message to operators running illegal gambling businesses in Florida.
“If you are operating illegal gambling in Florida, we are coming for your machines, your money and your criminal enterprise,” Herold said in the release. “As illegal gambling activity continues to grow statewide, including in southwest Florida, the FGCC remains committed to aggressively dismantling these operations before they evolve into larger organized criminal networks.”
However, at least one of the arcades targeted in Operation Silent Spin had previously been raided by authorities during an earlier crackdown on illegal gambling in Manatee County.
In September 2023, undercover detectives with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Gaming Control Commission raided Spin City Arcade at 3304 First St. W. after investigators said it continued operating despite repeated warnings to stop illegal gambling activity.
During that operation, investigators seized 33 arcade-style slot machines, 62 computers and more than $15,000 in alleged illegal proceeds. No customers or employees were arrested, though the business owner was placed under investigation.
Despite the earlier raid and repeated warnings from authorities, Spin City Arcade was again targeted during Operation Silent Spin.
Illegal gambling on the rise
Previous reporting by the Bradenton Herald and Suncoast Searchlight identified nearly 20 unlicensed gambling businesses operating from Bradenton to Englewood and found many reopened after past raids, sometimes in the same location or under a new business name. Others never closed at all despite warnings and investigations.
The investigation also found that because the games are unregulated, customers have no guarantee of fair payouts or fair play. Police dispatch records and incident reports reviewed by reporters showed some arcades had been the scene of overdoses, drug activity, thefts and violent crimes.
Amid the continued spread of illegal gambling operations, the commission said it is seeking expanded enforcement resources as lawmakers return to Tallahassee to negotiate the state budget. The agency is asking for additional dedicated gaming enforcement squads, including a proposed unit focused on southwest Florida, where officials say illegal gambling activity has sharply increased.
“Southwest Florida has seen one of the highest increases in illegal gambling activity in the state and is a prime location for our next enforcement squad,” FGCC Chair Julie Brown said in the release.
“As these operations continue to spread, the Commission must ensure it has the personnel and regional presence necessary to investigate complaints quickly, support local law enforcement partners and protect Florida communities through sustained enforcement efforts,” Brown said.
