Illegal gambling venue shut down in Tallahassee, dozens of slot machines seized

• Law enforcement in Tallahassee, together with the Florida Gaming Control Commission, took down an illegal gambling venue
• The raid resulted in the arrest of two suspects, seizure of dozens of slot machines, cash and a weapon
• The suspects are facing several charges and remain in custody at the Leon County Jail

Two suspects are facing tough charges after a police operation in Tallahassee, Florida, resulting in the takedown of an illegal gambling establishment.

During the raid, law enforcement found and seized dozens of illegal gambling devices, while the two suspects were booked into the Leon County Jail on multiple charges.

29 illegal gambling machines, cash and a weapon found

As announced by the local media outlet, WCTV, citing arrest documents and information from the state’s gambling regulator, the Florida Gaming Control Commission, two people were arrested last week over suspicion of being involved in illegal gambling.

Law enforcement and representatives of the Commission executed a search warrant at the North Tallahassee Arcade at North Monroe Street on Thursday.

On site, police uncovered and seized a total of 29 illegal slot machines, as well as a gun and a taser.

Some $17,000 in cash was also found and seized by law enforcement during the recent operation.

Shutting down the illegal gambling venue, two suspects, a 22-year-old female and a 24-year-old male, were arrested on several charges.

Suspects face several charges

Florida has tough punishments for illegal gambling that take into consideration the seriousness of the offense.

In the case of operating an illegal gambling venue, such charges are usually considered a misdemeanor and are subject to punishment of up to 60 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $500.

However, possession of gambling devices is classified as a felony crime, subject to punishment of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

In the case of the 24-year-old male suspect, he is facing charges for being a keeper or employee of a gambling house, which is a second-degree misdemeanor and can be subject to maximum punishment of up to 60 days in jail, a fine of up to $500 or both.

However, the male’s suspected accomplice, the 22-year-old woman, faces more charges, including possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime.

Under Florida’s laws, such a charge enhances the punishment for the underlying crime, in this case, the gambling-related offense.

This means that if the suspect is found guilty, they would receive a mandatory minimum sentence that can include prison time and a monetary sanction.

Police did not confirm how long the gambling venue operated before it was shut down.

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