A clandestine world of flashing lights and spinning reels has been exposed in Sarasota, Florida, with the arrest of two women accused of running an illegal gambling operation.
Kelly A. Mallia, 48, and Valerie A. Mallia, 62, were apprehended December 16th at Paradise Arcade, located on North Lockwood Ridge Road. The arrests were the culmination of a coordinated investigation involving the Sarasota Sheriff’s Department and the Florida Gaming Control Commission.
Authorities executed a search warrant, uncovering a staggering 81 slot machines within the arcade. These machines, along with the cash contained inside, were immediately seized by Commission agents, effectively shutting down the illicit enterprise.
This wasn’t a sudden crackdown; earlier this year, the arcade received a cease-and-desist letter, a warning that went unheeded. The women now face serious charges – keeping a gambling house and possessing illegal slot machines.
The potential consequences are significant. The charge of operating a gambling house carries a possible five-year prison sentence and a $5,000 fine. Possession of the slot machines could lead to 60 days in jail and a hefty $10,000 fine *per machine*.
Despite the severity of the charges, both women have since been released from the Sarasota County Jail after posting bond. The seized slot machines are now in secure storage as the investigation continues to unfold.
This bust is part of a larger statewide effort to combat illegal gambling. Florida authorities have already seized over 250 slot machines this year, with another 147 confiscated just last month, signaling a growing crackdown.
The Florida Attorney General has publicly voiced a desire to increase penalties for those involved in these operations, suggesting even tougher consequences are on the horizon for those who choose to operate outside the law.
The future of the Paradise Arcade remains uncertain, and the investigation is ongoing, leaving the possibility of further developments and potential charges looming.
