CCSO: Man ran 2 illegal casinos in Englewood; racketeering charged

ENGLEWOOD — The owner of two gambling halls in Englewood was arrested Thursday on charges of maintaining illegal gambling operation and money laundering.

Salim Qadir, 53, has been identified as the owner of Tiffany Square Bingo Hall and Cornerstone Arcade, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities reported seizing 196 electronic machines at the two establishments as part of an ongoing investigation.

Qadir has been charged with money laundering over $100,000, as well as conducting fraudulent money transfers, racketeering, and maintaining an illegal gambling structure.

“In recent months, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Florida Gaming Commission has allocated efforts and resources to stop illegal gambling activity that has been on the rise,” read a CCSO statement released Thursday.

Deputies were previously seen at the Tiffany Square bingo hall in December.

A warrant was issued for Qadir’s arrest, leading to a nationwide search. He was ultimately found in Forsyth, Georgia and arrested by local authorities. On Thursday, he was is in the Charlotte County Jail on a $256,000 total bond.

Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell pointed to Qadir’s arrest as a warning to any illegal gambling locations still in operation.

“You would think that after multiple warnings, and the closure of similar establishments in Charlotte County the message would be crystal clear … If you are choosing to operate an illegal gaming establishment in my county, close the doors, or we will close them for you,” he said in the release.