1 arrested after illegal gambling operation found in West Palm Beach, PBSO reports

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A woman was arrested Wednesday for allegedly running a gambling house out of a small shopping center in West Palm Beach.

Court records show Viviana Navarro Gonzalez was booked into the Palm Beach County jail on a string of gambling-related counts. She was arrested after undercover deputies placed multiple bets at the establishment and spotted casino-style slot machines, the probable cause affidavit against her indicated.

According to the affidavit, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) launched its investigation after the Florida Department of the Lottery and Florida Gaming Control Commission tipped off its deputies about a business running an illegal Bolita operation. PCSO described Bolita as a lottery-style game based on the New York or Florida lotteries, with its own set of rules for winning numbers and better payouts than the state games.

The business was identified as “Siempre Bellas,” according to the affidavit. However, the county had no tax receipts for a business by that name or at the North Congress Avenue address where the establishment was located. When the first undercover deputies arrived, however, they did find an operation was set up there.

See Also: 4 alleged Port St. Lucie gambling operations raided, five arrested

The affidavit details three occasions where undercover PBSO investigators bought tickets, placing small dollar bets. Referencing the slot machines that were reportedly on the premises, the report noted that investigators did not see nearby “any toys, prizes, or other tangible items to be offered as winnings.”

Navarro Gonzalez, 41, was allegedly the cashier at the time the bets were made. When questioned through an interpreter, according to the affidavit, she claimed not to know who employed her, who hired her, or who pays her. She also reportedly stated she did not know who handled the gaming machines.

Following her arrest, Navarro Gonzalez was booked on a single count of establishing a gaming place and three counts each of selling lottery tickets, printing lottery tickets, and operating a lottery.

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