On 03-27-18, an investigation into illegal gambling at the Fun Zone, located at 404 Suzanne Drive in Spring Hill, came to an end when members of the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Vice and Narcotics Unit and Selective Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant at the business.
Investigation revealed that the Fun Zone had multiple computerized games inside that look very similar to slot machines in a legal casino. These games are considered games of chance” – as the computer decides when the player “wins.” The business made cash payouts to any patron who “won.” The operation at the Fun Zone did not follow Florida state gambling statutes.
Through many previous investigations into illegal gambling establishments, detectives learned that these businesses are also utilized to launder money and to commit fraud and tax evasion.
The business is “cash only,” with the exception of the ATM inside, which did not have records to account for all of the cash recovered during the investigation.
During the execution of the search warrant, detectives seized $6,753 in cash, multiple computers, and numerous documents relating to the entire operation.
Arrests are forthcoming