Florida police shutter 17 internet cafes on gambling charges

Enforcement officials in Volusia County, Florida shuttered 17 internet cafes this week, citing a finding by the 1st District Court of Appeal, which declared the businesses illicit.

The Sheriff’s office served cease and desist orders on the businesses, which were obeyed, according to local media reports. Sheriff Mike Chitwood said that the police action was prioritised following reports of violent crime in the vicinity of some of the cafes and a lack of cooperation by some owners.

Local media reports note that last year the Volusia Sheriff’s department conducted an undercover investigation into the activities of internet cafes which resulted in one establishment being raided and shut down..

Chitwood said that internet cafes are illegal gambling operations, and their refusal to cooperate with the police by not reporting criminal activity placed their customers at risk.

Eight additional businesses were served cease-and-desist orders in 2017. In April 2013, internet cafes were also shut down state=wide after Gov. Rick Scott signed a ban approved by the Florida Legislature.

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