Two arrested in Port Charlotte for casino
Two people are under arrest after continuing to operate an illegal casino in Charlotte County. The arrests are one of a number of raids, as the county attempts to crack down on gambling that is happening in plain sight, in locations across the county.
“These businesses continued to operate after we executed search warrants on two establishments last year, seizing nearly 200 machines,” said Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummel. “It appears the owners simply don’t care as they have remained open, ignoring several warnings we have provided.
On June 3, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit conducted an operation at the Showtime Casino located at 3012 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte, Florida. CCSO had received numerous tips and complaints regarding illegal gambling on slot machines at this location, as well as others in the county.
The Sheriff’s Office observed illegal gambling inside of the business, and the clerk working inside was issued a “Notice to Appear” for an employee of a gambling house. Within minutes of this interaction, the other casinos in town began telling customers to leave and hurriedly closed their doors.Detectives went to Showtime Casino and observed the two employees taking turns walking to the roadway and looking up and down the road as lookouts. The employees were also locking the door behind every customer as they came in and out of the casino. As the operation took place, detectives observed illegal gambling happening inside of the casino on slot machines.Detectives proceeded to provide a warning to every patron inside that what they were doing was illegal and that they needed to leave immediately. The two men running the casino, Mevin Rodriguez, 28, and Amey M. Naik, 31, were both placed under arrest.
The Sheriff’s Office has issued multiple warnings to these business owners throughout the county advising them that what they are doing is illegal. The Florida Gaming Commission has issued similar warnings to each of these businesses as they have been receiving numerous complaints about these casinos opening up and calling themselves “arcades.” CCSO has found that these businesses will close down for a short period when they learn that deputies are out issuing warnings or making an arrest, and then reopen.
On July 1, 2024, that Florida State Statue (FSS 849.01) for Keeping a Gambling House and working inside of them will change from being a misdemeanor to a third-degree felony.
