Manatee County cracks down on illegal arcades after raid finds 55 slot machines and $160K in cash, amid ongoing safety and crime concerns.

Manatee County is drafting new regulations for adult arcades with illegal gaming machines after a Cortez Road raid uncovered 55 slot machines and $160,000 in illicit proceeds. The move follows concerns over rising violence linked to such venues, with 56 crime calls in seven years. Similar illegal operations persist in Jacksonville, where a recent raid shut down a Haverford Road site disguised as an internet cafe, seizing machines and cash. Authorities warn these unlicensed gambling dens, often in low-income areas, pose serious safety risks due to armed guards, rigged machines, and unpermitted electrical work. Despite a 2019 county ban, such operations continue to thrive, fueled by high profits and weak enforcement.