News Features

Gaming Rooms Raided In Multi-Agency Investigation

    The State of Florida, in conjunction with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, this week conducted a countywide sweep of gaming rooms, closing three locations including one south of Umatilla. The operation took place during the evening hours of January 8.
   House of Treasures on SR 19 south of Umatilla, The Hub in Leesburg and Hotseats in Leesburg were all part of the action, which was additionally supported by detectives from departments in Clermont, Groveland, Eustis, and Leesburg.
   “I would like to thank Director Harold and the men and women of the Florida Gaming Control Commission for their partnership with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. We will continue these operations to eradicate this illegal activity and arrest those that are responsible,” Sheriff Peyton C. Grinnell.
   The operation was undertaken after receiving citizen complaints regarding the operations.
   Agents from the Florida Gaming Control Commission were reportedly the lead officers for the action.
   In all, 231 machines and over $158,000 were seized during the operation with the following breakdown:
•House of Treasures - 56 Machines,    $75,619   3 Notices to Appear (Employees) (LCSO Search Warrant)
37826 SR 19, Umatilla.
•The Hub - 98 Machines,   $46,597,    2 Notices to Appear   (FGCC Search Warrant)
3805 West Main Street, Leesburg.
•Hotseats -    77 Machines,     $36, 621,    2 Notices to Appear (FGCC Search Warrant)
25327 U.S. Highway 27, Leesburg.
   Charges included were possession of slot machines and keeping of a gambling house.
   “We thank the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for partnering with the Florida Gaming Control Commission to close these illegal gaming establishments in our state,” said Florida Gaming Control Commission Executive Director Alana Zimmer. “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.”