Illegal gaming bust in Indian River County designed to set an example

VERO BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — While illegal arcade busts were becoming a common sight in 2023, they have been fewer and farther between this year – until Wednesday.

That’s when deputies from the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office (IRCSO) showed up at Panda arcade, arrested two men, and began seizing slot machines. The suspects, who were identified as Jinquan Lin and Jing Guo Yang, were each booked on a counts of racketeering and illegal gambling. They are each facing million-dollar bonds.

The Vero Beach arcade, which is right off U.S. 1 and 8th Street, was raided Wednesday morning and deputies, along with members of the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC), were on hand as slot machines were wheeled out. The investigation that led to the raid actually started more than a year ago.

“They were very well aware that they were already being reported as conducting illegal gambling,” IRCSO Captain Joe Abollo said. “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 bring just poison into our community.”

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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. He was not the only one who felt that way.

I guess they never learn

“I’m sure they preyed on a lot of people,” Vero Beach resident Mike Dileo said. “A lot of people lost their money every time they went in there gambling, or whatever else goes on in there. It’s just disturbing.”

Dileo lives near the now-former arcade and Dileo pointed out that this was not the first time the location has been busted.

“In the past, they’ve been busted before, and they shut it down. And now, it’s reopened,” he continued. “I guess they never learn.”

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.”

They also warned residents that operations like these are all a scam.

“You have to stop going to these locations,” Snyder implored. “You’re not going to win. It’s not designed for you to win.”

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