Recent raids by Florida authorities on four illicit gaming operations have led to numerous arrests and the confiscation of 146 slot machines, along with the seizure of $194,770. These operations, conducted by the office of Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey and the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC), resulted in the shutdown of several Brevard County businesses last week. The details of these businesses and the identities of those arrested have not been disclosed to the media.
Lou Trombetta, executive director of the FGCC, expressed gratitude for the collaboration with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and reiterated the importance of targeting and closing these illegal casinos. “Sadly, the money these unlicensed, unregulated facilities take in is essentially stealing from the patrons who frequent these establishments,” Trombetta said. “Because they are unlicensed, there are no player protections or benefits to the community like regulated facilities.”
While the FGCC described the amount of money seized as “significant,” it noted that this sum does not fully represent the vast funds that support these illegal gambling operations. Agents with the state’s Division of Gaming Enforcement have pledged to continue their investigations and to work closely with local law enforcement agencies throughout Florida to combat illegal gambling.
In a related case, authorities have charged a second individual in connection with the theft of $68,000 from a roulette machine at Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans. Michel Francklin, 57, of Miami, was extradited to Louisiana on September 24 and faces three counts of being a principal to altering gaming equipment and three counts of theft, according to the New Orleans Advocate. Francklin and a second individual allegedly rigged a video roulette machine, enabling their theft.
Michael Shea, 33, of Coral Springs, Florida, had previously pleaded guilty to similar charges related to the incident. Shea was arrested on February 22 and pleaded guilty on May 6 to altering gaming equipment and theft valued at more than $25,000. Surveillance video at the Harvey, Louisiana gaming property captured the pair’s activities. Casino security informed local police, prompting an investigation. Authorities discovered that the duo was present at the casino for three days. On one day, they cashed 12 tickets totaling $31,500. On another day, they cashed nine tickets worth approximately $19,000. On the third day, they cashed an unspecified number of tickets for more than $17,800.