Illegal gambling: Ten arrested, slot machines seized at Tallahassee area gas stations

The Florida Gaming Control Commission arrested 10 people and confiscated 21 illegal gambling machines from five Tallahassee-area gas stations, according to a Friday news release.

With the assistance of the Tallahassee Police Department, the arrests, with more pending, come as the commission wraps up an ongoing investigation in several North Florida counties involving illegal gambling at gas stations.

The commission said there were 10 gas stations in all involved in the operation, one in Jefferson County, one in Wakulla County and eight in Leon County. More than $17,000 was seized from the confiscated machines by gaming enforcement officers.

“Illegal gambling has a serious impact on Florida’s communities, and small businesses who choose to offerillegal slot machines to customers need to understand that they are breaking the law,” said Louis A. Trombetta,Executive Director of the Florida Gaming Control Commission, in a statement.

Trombetta added, “it is unlawful to offer slot machine gaming at any unlicensed facility in Florida, including bars, restaurants, gas stations, and illegal casinos. We want to help small businesses understand the law, as well as the implications of not following the law.”

Gambling machines are only allowed in legal gaming facilities while slot machines specifically are only legal in eight licensed pari-mutuel facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties and at some facilities operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

Those found with an illegal slot machine are subject to an administrative fine or civil penalty of up to $10,000 per machine. Any occupational licenses held by a person found guilty of violating gambling statutes could also be suspended.

How to report illegal gambling

• To report illegal gambling activities or facilities in Florida, go online to FLGaming.gov/File-aReport , send an email to Tipline@FLGaming.gov , or call 850-880-3433.

Arianna Otero is the City Solutions Reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact her via email at AOtero@tallahassee.com or on Twitter/X: @ari_v_otero .

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Illegal gambling: Ten arrested, slot machines seized at Tallahassee area gas stations