Internet Cafe Raided In Florida For Illegal Gambling

Internet cafe's have become the new target for illegal gambling operations. While people used to run the gambling operations out of bars and convenience stores, they have now turned to Internet cafe's as a way to offer illegal gambling.

In Florida, the Internet cafe's have become more popular than in most other states, and authorities have been busy at work trying to keep these illegal gambling operations out of their jurisdictions. On Thursday, the latest raid occurred at an Ocala Internet cafe.

The Internet Express cafe was raided by police on Thursday on State Road 200. Patrons of the establishment were upset that the law keeps interfering with the cafe. They claim that it is just a fun place to go, but officials see it as something different, something illegal.

"Folks would come off the streets, give the worker inside some money. They would get a card, and then use that card to gamble," said Marion County Spokesman Judge Cochran. That constitutes illegal gambling in the eyes of the law.

The employee on duty at the time of the raid, Victoria Coons, was arrested and charged with being an agent or employee of a gambling house. The owner of the business had not yet been arrested, but Marion County deputies were looking for him.

The Internet cafe phenomenon is one that authorities are attempting to stop, but patrons of these cafe's believe that the gambling that takes place inside should be legalized. In this case, forty-three computers were seized as evidence.

"All these cafe's are doing is allowing people a safe place where they can go enjoy some time with their friends," said Barry Hall, "The amount of gambling taking place is minimal compared to the the enjoyment these patrons are receiving while at the cafe's."

September 18, 2009
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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