76 slot machines seized in Sarasota County illegal gambling raid

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office recently seized 76 slot machines in an illegal gambling raid. Deputies served search warrants at two illegal gambling establishments during the operation, which authorities say was conducted Aug. 26 in cooperation with the Florida Gaming Control Commission.

At Surf’s Up, at 6394 North Lockwood Ridge Road, officers say they seized 48 illegal slot machines. At an unnamed business at 3503 North Lockwood Ridge Road, officers found 28 illegal slot machines during a search of the premises. The two locations are about 2 miles apart.

While there were no employees at either business when officers executed the search warrants, authorities say they filed misdemeanor charges against employees they identified as working at both establishments. In addition, the sheriff’s office says it forwarded capias requests for maintaining a gambling house to the state’s attorney’s office for review. A capias is an arrest order issued by the court.

Officers from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office intelligence unit, special investigations section, TAC unit and patrol participated in the raid.

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.