164 slot machines seized in Sarasota County illegal gambling bust

Law enforcement personnel from Sarasota County recently seized 164 slot machines during a targeted operation focused on illegal gambling establishments in the southern part of the county.

Officials executed search warrants on Sept. 29 at three locations in Englewood where they found the machines: 80 N. Indiana Ave., 624 N. Indiana Ave. and 10 N. Indiana Ave., according to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.

Members from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Intelligence Unit, TAC Unit and Special Investigations Section assisted the Florida Gaming Control Commission in the operation.

The investigation comes after another Sarasota County probe in August yielded 76 slot machines from two businesses on Lockwood Ridge Road.

“Illegal gambling operations have no place in our community,” Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman says in a statement. “We will continue to pursue those who violate the law and hold them accountable. Our focus remains on protecting the safety, quality of life, and well-being of everyone who lives, works, and visits Sarasota County.”

In Florida, slot machines are only legal at certain Indian tribal facilities and eight pari-mutuel facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, according to the FGCC. Legal slot machines in the Gulf Coast region are at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa and Seminole Casino Immokalee.