Authorities in Florida have raided a trio of alleged illegal gambling halls in Lake County, including a casino connected to suspended Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier declared June 4 “a solemn day for Florida” after Lopez was arrested for alleged links to a $21.6m illegal gambling operation. The ex-sheriff posted a $1m bond as he prepares to face conspiracy and racketeering charges.
According to reports, a post-sunset raid on three alleged illegal Lake County gambling halls named as The Hub, House of Treasures, and Hot Seats rewarded authorities with the seizure of 231 slot machines and approximately $150,000 in cash.
Hot Seats is the casino allegedly linked to Lopez, who is accused of running a massive illegal gambling house in Central Florida with illegal slot machines and lottery games, a sideline that allegedly brought in $35k monthly profits for the ex-sheriff.
After Thursday’s raids led by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Gaming Control Commission Executive Director Alana Zimmer issued a warning to other perpetrators. “It is impressive to take 231 illegal slot machines off the streets in one night. We are giving notice to those who want to operate illegal gambling facilities that we will close you down.”
every day I gotta get my fix”
According to local news reports, the raids came as a shock to residents. Fox 35 cited Michelle Doucet, who was outside The Hub, questioning the right of authorities to “tell me how I can spend my money that I’ve made anyway.” Doucet stated: “I come here every day, every day I gotta get my fix.”
Lopez, meanwhile, is next due in court on January 27.
