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Historic bust
Police in the city of Cape Coral have reported the successful execution of what it stated was the “largest illegal gambling operation crackdown in Southwest Florida.”
428 gambling machines
The operation centered on illegal casinos, with the Cape Coral Police Department (CCPD) seizing over $540,000 in cash and 428 gambling machines.
According to CCPD Officer Mercedes Simonds, the raids were conducted in collaboration with the Florida Gaming Commission (FGC) across seven locations in the city of Cape Coral.
The coordinated operation followed a “months-long, comprehensive” probe, with over 90 law enforcement personnel on Friday morning storming into six casinos and one home.
Preying on residents
The targetted businesses were, according to a CCPD news release, “found to prey upon vulnerable populations, particularly elderly residents struggling with gambling addiction.”
Officer Simonds added that the gambling machines had also been: “deliberately calibrated to ensure consistent losses for patrons.” According to Fox4 Now, police found gambling machines “with payouts as low as 18.5%.”
Florida gambling laws state that such machines must be calibrated to at least 85% payout rates.
The CCPD named the six casinos raided as Vegas Style Games, Jacks Arcade, Senior Chuckies, White Sands, Jackpot Corner, and Jackpot Island.
Case still developing
The CCPD stated authorities made no arrests during the raids but identified “multiple persons of interest.” While highlighting the “size and scope” of the morning raids, police said the investigation was still in its early stages and remained ongoing.
The CCPD thanked the City of Cape Coral for its “continued support in eliminating these illegal establishments,” and mentioned the FGC as being “instrumental throughout the course of this investigation.”
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