$211K seized as detectives raid illegal gambling houses in Lake County, sheriff’s office says

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office moved in on four illegal gaming establishments earlier this month, executing search warrants and making off with hundreds of thousands of dollars in seized assets and cash.

Those warrants were executed June 13 with help from the Florida Gaming Control Commission, as well as Leesburg, Clermont, Eustis and Mount Dora police, the sheriff’s office said on social media.

The investigation stemmed from ongoing concerns that illegal gambling throughout the county had led to an increase in law enforcement calls for service, criminal activity and other threats to public safety, the post states.

“Illegal gambling establishments operate outside the legal, regulated market to exploit vulnerable Floridians,” Lou Trombetta, FGCC executive director, said in a statement. “They are usually associated with organized crime, do not generate state tax revenue, and do not provide the same consumer protections or safeguards as legal gaming operators.”

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The warrants were executed at the following locations:

• Hot Spot — 11145 U.S Highway 441, Tavares

• Hot Spot — 11203 U.S. Highway 441, Tavares

• Cyber Monkey — 23505 State Road 40, Astor

• Hot Spot II — 37415 State Road 19, Umatilla

From these establishments were seized some $211,000, as well as around 170 gaming machines, leaving the locations with no further means of operating as gambling houses, the sheriff’s office said.

Citations for misdemeanor notices to appear were issued to six employees in lieu of arrests, in part to continue efforts by the sheriff’s office to inform surrounding business owners and the public that electronic game rooms are unlawful pursuant to Florida State Statute 849.01, the post states.

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