By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter
Chiefland Police Chief Scott Anderson said Monday he and his staff are continuing to sort through the inventory of cash and machines they seized Saturday night and Sunday morning in raids on eight illegal gambling establishments in the city.
He said he doesn’t have any figures on the number of gambling machines seized other than the 29 Fish Tables. The tables are electronic machines large enough for eight people to pay money for a chance to win more cash.
Anderson said he is not sure how much cash or how many internet computers were seized. He reported $18,000 seized from one location Saturday night.
“We’re not sure yet. We’re working on it,” he said.
Anderson said his department will issue a news release later in the week providing additional details about the raid and what was seized. The seized machines are being stored at an undisclosed location.
He said the courts will decide what happens to the seized property.
Anderson said he hasn’t made any arrests, but “more than likely the owners” will be the subject of sworn complaints.
Sworn complaints describe the alleged crimes. The State Attorney’s office in Gainesville would review the information and decide whether to file criminal charges.
Chiefland police raided Fish Treasurers, Blue Max Social Center, Tropical Treasures, Chiefland Arcade, Fun Time Arcade, Cyber Center, Patriot Social Club, and Blue Lagoon Saturday night and Sunday morning.
Blue Max Social Center at 1525 NW 26th Ave. in Chiefland was open 24 hours a day with three shifts of employees, according to a chalkboard message inside the front door for customers.
Police officers and sheriff’s deputies from the Chiefland Police Department, Levy County Sheriff’s Office, Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Ocala Police Department and Columbia County Sheriff’s Office carried stand up internet machines, fish tables and other equipment from the eight locations during the raids, which lasted hours.
Chiefland Gambling Raid November 3, 2018
Update posted November 5, 2018
