2 people arrested for operating an illegal casino in Charlotte County

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (WWSB) – Two people were arrested for continuing to operate an illegal casino in Charlotte County.

On Monday, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit conducted an operation at the Showtime Casino at 3012 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte. The CCSO received numerous tips and complaints regarding this location related to illegal slot machine gambling.

According to the report, the sheriff’s office went to the arcade headquarters at 1152 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte and observed illegal gambling. The employee working there received a summons for a gambling house employee. A few minutes after this interaction, the other casinos in the city began asking customers to leave and hastily closed their doors.

Investigators went to the Showtime Casino at 3012 Tamiami Trail and observed the two employees taking turns walking to the street and standing guard up and down the street. The employees also locked the door behind each customer entering or leaving the casino. During the operation, investigators observed illegal gambling on slot machines inside the casino.

Investigators then warned all guests inside that their behavior was illegal and they had to leave the building immediately. The two operators of the casino, Mevin Rodriguez and Amey M. Naik, were both arrested as agents or employees of a gambling house.

The Sheriff’s Office has issued multiple warnings to these business owners throughout the county, pointing out that their actions are illegal and currently a misdemeanor in the state of Florida.

On July 1, 2024, operating a gambling establishment and engaging in work therein will be changed from a misdemeanor to a third-degree felony under the Florida State Statute (FSS 849.01).

In addition to the CCSO’s warnings, the Florida Gaming Commission has also issued similar warnings to each of these businesses as it has received numerous complaints about the opening of these casinos and the label “gaming arcades.”

The CCSO has found that when these businesses learn that officers are on the way to issue warnings, educate owners and customers, or make an arrest, they close for a short period of time and then reopen over the next few days.

Law enforcement advises the public that if you play these illegal machines in an establishment, you may also be charged with a misdemeanor. Please think twice before deciding to enter one of these establishments.

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