2nd Indian River County casino shut down after Wednesday raid, FGGC reveals

VERO BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — The Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGGC) revealed Thursday that a second casino that was allegedly being run illegally was shut down as the result of the previous day’s joint operation with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office (IRCSO).

The state agency provided new details about Wednesday’s raid that also shuttered the Panda casino. Its update, however, did not indicate where the second casino was located. The FGGC also detailed some of what was seized at the time.

According to its numbers, agents and deputies rounded up 68 slot machines in total. Additionally, they also found over $37,000 in cash, along with information on bank accounts.

“We don’t want that stuff here. We don’t want that kind of garbage here. We will not tolerate these types of arcades that are bringing just poison into our community,” IRCSO captain Joe Abollo said.

Two people were arrested in connection with the raid at the Panda casino, officials said. The suspects, who were identified as Jinquan Lin and Jing Guo Yang, were booked on one count each of racketeering and illegal gambling. They are each facing million-dollar bonds.

The investigation into the Panda, which is right off U.S. 1 and 8th Street, in Vero Beach, had started more than a year ago, officials said.

FGCC alleged the suspects were running an ‘illegal casino-style arcade,’ with its Chief of Law Enforcement Gary Snyder explaining that the pair were predators, targeting the state’s most vulnerable citizens and visitors.

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Officials are hoping that this is the last lawless arcade they have to encounter in this area.

“(We’re) sending a message that we take this seriously,” Abollo added. “A million-dollar bond is a heavy, heavy bond for an illegal gambling operation. So, hopefully, everyone sees that.”

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