Calvin Coolidge lives again.
The name of the 30th president was used as a code name for a recent operation conducted by the Florida Gaming Control Commission. Confiscated were 231 illegal gambling machines and $157,000 in illegal gambling proceeds in Lake County.
The coordinated, multi-location enforcement operation took place January 8.
“These enforcement actions demonstrate our commitment to protecting Florida communities and preserving the integrity of the state’s gaming laws,” FGCC Executive Director Alana Zimmer said in a statement. “Illegal gambling operations undermine lawful businesses and exploit patrons. FGCC will continue to work proactively with law enforcement partners to shut them down.”
Search warrants were executed at three locations operating as unlawful gambling houses in Umatilla and Leesburg. The targeted locations were identified through complaints, intelligence gathering, and investigative efforts confirming the presence of illegal slot machines.
At the House of Treasure in Umatilla, the FGCC partnered with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to seize 56 illegal gambling machines, including slot machines and fish tables, along with $75,619 in currency recovered from the machines. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office issued three Notices to Appear for possession of slot machines and keeping a gambling house.
FGCC agents also executed search warrants at two locations in Leesburg. At Hot Seats, agents seized 77 illegal gambling machines and $35,621 in suspected gambling proceeds. Two Notices to Appear were issued for possession of slot machines and keeping a gambling house.
At The Hub in Leesburg, agents seized 98 illegal gambling machines and $46,597 in currency. Two additional Notices to Appear were issued for the same offenses.
According to the FGCC, gambling machines are permitted only in legal gaming facilities, and legal slot machines are available in eight licensed pari-mutuel facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, as well as at certain facilities operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. It is against the law to offer slot machine gaming or any unauthorized gambling at any unlicensed facility in Florida.