5 Port Richey casinos closed, 249 slot machines seized in illegal gambling sting

Five illegal casinos were shuttered in Port Richey on Monday by the Florida Gaming Control Commission.

The gaming establishments were operating as unauthorized casinos, according to officials with the Florida Gaming Control Commission. Law enforcement officials with the FGCC, the Port Richey Police and the New Port Richey Police executed search warrants at the facilities following an in-depth investigation into unlicensed gaming in the city, according to Port Richey Police.

As a result, officials seized 249 illegal slot machines and $194,262 in suspected gambling proceeds. Eight individuals were also issued Notices to Appear for gambling-related offenses.

Law enforcement closed the following locations for illegal gambling:

• Oz Place: 6624 Ridge Road, Port Richey
  • 54 illegal slot machines confiscated
  • $28,394 in cash seized
  • 3 Notices to Appear issued
• Oz Place: 6630 Ridge Road, Port Richey
  • Business was closed prior to warrant execution
  • 5 illegal slot machines confiscated 
• FL Skill Arcade: 6400 Ridge Road, Port Richey
  • 52 illegal slot machines confiscated
  • $41,230 in cash seized
  • Notice to Appear issued 
• Ridge Road Place Arcade: 6638 Ridge Road, Port Richey
  • 56 illegal slot machines confiscated
  • $35,467 in cash seized
  • 2 Notices to Appear issued
• 777 Arcade: 8633 U.S. Highway 19, Port Richey
  • 82 illegal slot machines confiscated
  • $86,171 in cash seized
  • 2 Notices to Appear issued

Gambling is strictly regulated in the state of Florida, and slot machine gaming is only authorized at licensed facilities officials say.

“Illegal casinos are not part of regulated gaming in Florida,” says Carl Herold, Director of Gaming Enforcement for the Florida Gaming Control Commission, in a statement. “These operations exploit vulnerable individuals, create an uneven playing field for lawful businesses and bring unwanted crime and disorder to the communities in which they operate.”

Concerns about illegal gambling facilities or activities can be reported online at FLGaming.gov/File-a-Report, by email at [email protected], or by phone at 850-880-3433.