Raid of gambling parlor in Sumter County won’t result in prosecution – Villages-News

Small gambling parlors are popping up across Sumter County and the county has no effective way to regulate them, County Administrator Bradley Arnold told commissioners Tuesday night.

Arnold said parlors have opened recently in Wildwood, Coleman and Lake Panasoffkee.

Sometimes called fish games, the gambling issue was raised during the public forum part of the meeting by Billy Bowles, a candidate next year for Sumter County commissioner.

Describing enforcement as futile, Arnold said the sheriffs office raided one parlor on U.S. 27-441 and seized the equipment, but had to return it because state prosecutors did not want to take the case.

Zoning restrictions wont work because the parlors are located in commercial areas, the county administrator said.

It is considered a retail activity, he said. Theres no reason for law enforcement to get involved.

Arnold said Marion County recently approved an ordinance to regulate the parlors, but state prosecutors are not going to enforce a county ordinance.

Im in a wait-and-see mode, he said. Theres no reason to bring something to the board thats not enforceable.

The best solution, he said, may be to lobby state lawmakers to address the problem in the legislature.

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Raid of gambling parlor in Sumter County won't result in prosecution - Villages-News