A wave of law enforcement action crashed down on Fort Myers, Florida this week, as two arcades were targeted in a coordinated raid. Authorities descended upon Royal Arcade and Spinners Arcade, dismantling what they allege was an illegal gambling operation hidden in plain sight.
The raids resulted in the seizure of 134 slot machines and a substantial $22,000 in cash. Royal Arcade bore the brunt of the action, losing 72 machines and $3,100. Spinners Arcade saw 62 machines and nearly $20,000 confiscated.
One employee of Royal Arcade, Sonia Pimentel, was arrested during the operation. She was subsequently released from jail, but the incident underscores the seriousness of the investigation and the potential for further charges.
This isn’t an isolated incident. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) has been aggressively targeting illegal gambling operations in recent weeks, conducting a similar raid just weeks prior that yielded 111 machines and over $36,000.
Back in September, authorities also shut down two more illegal gambling locations within Fort Myers, signaling a clear escalation in enforcement efforts. The LCSO appears determined to dismantle these operations throughout the county.
Sheriff Carmine Marceno issued a stark warning, stating that these arcades “poison our neighborhoods and only invite more crime.” He emphasized his commitment to protecting the community by shutting down any business profiting from illegal gambling.
Alana Zimmer, Executive Director of the Florida Gaming Control Commission, echoed this sentiment, promising to relentlessly pursue and close down any illegal gaming facilities operating within the state. The message is clear: Florida is cracking down.
The crackdown isn’t limited to Lee County. Law enforcement in nearby Cape Coral and St. Petersburg have also been conducting raids, resulting in the seizure of hundreds of machines across the region. Florida is sending a strong message to those operating outside the law.
The increasing frequency and scale of these raids suggest a coordinated statewide effort to combat illegal gambling. Authorities are actively working to identify and dismantle these operations, aiming to restore order and protect residents from potential criminal activity.
