Lee County, FL – Two Fort Myers arcades were shut down Wednesday after deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and the Florida Gaming Control Commission uncovered more than 130 illegal gambling machines and over $22,000 in cash.
According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, investigators raided Royal Arcade on South Cleveland Avenue and Spinners Arcade on San Carlos Boulevard as part of a coordinated operation targeting illegal gaming establishments.
Sheriff Carmine Marceno said the closures are part of an ongoing effort to reduce criminal activity tied to unlicensed gaming. “These illegal arcades poison our neighborhoods and only invite more crime,” Marceno said. “My priority is keeping our community safe — and that means shutting down every operation that profits off illegal gambling.”
Authorities reported seizing 72 illegal gambling machines and $3,100 at Royal Arcade, where one employee, Sonia Pimentel, was arrested for operating a gambling establishment. At Spinners Arcade, deputies confiscated 62 illegal machines and $19,858 in cash.
Florida Gaming Control Commission Executive Director Alana Zimmer praised the partnership, saying, “We are giving notice to those who want to operate illegal gaming facilities that we will find you and close you down.”
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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