FL Sheriff's Office Discusses Recent Gambling Stings
The Manatee Sheriff's Department has received heavy criticism in recent letters and commentaries to The Herald about the raids that resulted in closure of 16 video game rooms in Manatee County. I would like the opportunity to respond to that criticism.
The Special Investigations Division (SID) of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office investigates illegal narcotics, vice and organized crime activities. The vice investigation of recent public interest is enforcement action taken on businesses in violation of Florida State Statutes Chapter 849 Gambling Laws.
Approximately five months ago the division began receiving complaints from citizens and business owners about "illegal" gambling. The complaints ran the gamut from video slot machines in specific businesses to business owners being approached to place "illegal" machines in their establishments. Extortion was believed to be involved in one instance to compel the business owner's cooperation. SID responded by seeking to verify their authenticity. This was no random investigation on "mini-casinos." Following protocol, detectives checked named locations and those similar in nature. We found 16 locations permitting "illegal" gambling.
June 22, 2006
Posted By Susan Torres
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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