Authorities in Florida have shut down three illegal gambling operations in Lake County, including one casino allegedly tied to former Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez.
Over 200 Slot Machines Seized
The raids followed Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier’s description of June 4 as “a solemn day for Florida,” following Lopez’s arrest over his alleged role in a large-scale illegal gambling network.
Lopez, who has been suspended from his post, is accused of having connections to an operation valued at $21.6 million. He has posted a $1 million bond and is now facing conspiracy and racketeering charges.
According to investigators, deputies carried out late-night raids on three locations operating under the names The Hub, House of Treasures, and Hot Seats. By the end of the operation, authorities had seized 231 slot machines and roughly $150,000 in cash. Officials said the machines were illegal and had been running outside Florida law.
Hot Seats has drawn particular attention because of its alleged connection to Lopez. Prosecutors claim the former sheriff helped oversee an illegal gambling setup in Central Florida that included unlicensed slot machines and lottery-style games. That operation is accused of generating around $35,000 a month in profits for Lopez.
“We Will Close You Down”
Following last Thursday’s enforcement action, Alana Zimmer, executive director of the Florida Gaming Control Commission, said the scale of the seizures sent a clear message.
“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,” Zimmer said.
The raids caught some local residents off guard. Outside The Hub, one regular customer questioned whether authorities should be stepping in at all. Fox 35 quoted Michelle Doucet, who said she did not see the harm in spending her own money at the venue.
“I come here every day, every day I gotta get my fix,” Doucet said, adding that she did not think officials had the right to “tell me how I can spend the money that I’ve made anyway.”Lopez has not commented publicly since his arrest. He is scheduled to appear in court again on January 27, where he is expected to face the next stage of the legal process.