Sarasota County deputies seized 76 machines from two Sarasota businesses that authorities say were operating as illegal gambling establishments.
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, working with the Florida Gaming Control Commission, executed search warrants Aug. 26 at the two businesses on North Lockwood Ridge Road.
Deputies seized 28 machines from an unnamed business at 3503 N. Lockwood Ridge Road and 48 machines from Surf’s Up at 6394 N. Lockwood Ridge Road, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
No employees were present when deputies searched the businesses, the agency said.
Authorities later filed misdemeanor charges against employees identified as working at the establishments. Requests for arrest warrants on charges of maintaining a gambling
house were forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office for review.
The Sheriff’s Office did not identify the employees, specify how many were charged or provide additional information about the investigation.
Wade Tatangelo is the executive editor of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Florida dining and entertainment editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Deputies seize 76 machines in Sarasota gambling raids
