Agents shut down 3 internet cafes suspected of gambling – Ocala

Beginning in March, agents conducted undercover investigations and determined the cafes had "games of chance" instead of games of skill.

Law enforcement officers seized more than 170 pieces of electronic equipment during raids at four internet cafes in Ocala suspected of illegal gambling.

With help from Ocala Police Department officers, agents with Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team shut down two of the cafes on Monday and two on Tuesday.

So far no arrests have been made, but agents have confiscated thousands of dollars in cash.

UDEST officials said they had received complaints from businesses and individuals about alleged illegal gambling.

Beginning in March, agents conducted undercover investigations and determined the cafes had "games of chance" instead of games of skill. They conferred with state officials and obtained search warrants.

Two of the cafes had been robbed within the past year. The people complaining to police were also concerned about the clientele the cafes attracted.

The internet cafes were:

Lucky Pearl, 3495 W. Anthony Road

Midas' Measure, 624 S. Pine Ave.

The Room, 426 S. Pine Ave.

Richie's Arcade, 1053 NE 14th St.

UDEST officials declined to say if there would be more raids. However, agents said they would continue to investigate internet cafes.

The equipment seized included table-style and arcade-sytle gaming stations, computers and monitors.

An employee at the Lucky Pearl declined to talk with a reporter.

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Agents shut down 3 internet cafes suspected of gambling - Ocala