Unauthorized Casinos in Central Florida Closed Once More

This month, four illegal casinos in DeLand and Orange City, including three that reopened after getting shut down in the past, were shut down as VSO executed simultaneous search warrants.

Six smoke shops and convenience stores, including four repeat violators, were cited for selling nicotine or alcohol to an underage buyer. “Businesses can follow the law, or they can accept the consequences,” Sheriff Mike Chitwood said. “We’re not going to stop enforcing the law just because certain businesses want to ignore it.”

Illegal Central Florida casinos:

The illegal casino locations shut down were Preview Games in Orange City and Comptrek, Cyber Monkey, and Smash Monkey in DeLand. Smash Monkey is the same illegal casino wherein VSO deputies recently tracked down a fraud suspect accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from a senior couple. The suspect was gambling on one of the electronic casino games when she was arrested.

In total, detectives seized more than 100 illegal casino machines and more than $114,000 cash from the four locations.

Two employees at Preview Games, both of whom were working at the location during a previous VSO search warrant and shutdown in July, were arrested on charges of acting as an employee of an illegal gambling house and permitting the operation of slot machines. The charges are second-degree misdemeanors.

“Illegal gambling is a serious issue, and we are grateful to partner with the Volusia Sheriff’s Office and to support Sheriff Chitwood and his team in shutting these locations down,” said Lou Trombetta, Executive Director of the Florida Gaming Control Commission.

“Legal gaming is strictly regulated in Florida to provide player protections, combat illegal activity, generate state revenue, and foster game integrity. We will continue to address illicit gambling to protect citizens and communities, and we appreciate continued reports about any suspicion of illegal gambling operations and facilities.”