Illegal gambling caused the closure of 16 buisnesses recently in Florida.

The manatee Sheriffs Department has been under heavy criticism recently in the local papers because of raids that have closed down 16 video game rooms in Manatee County.

The Special Investigations Division of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office is responsible for illegal narcotics, vice and organized crime activities. The Criticism is all because of a vice investigation that has recently caused the closure of several business in violation of Florida’s gambling laws.

About 5 months ago they began information about illegal gambling. The information was about video slot machines and shop owners being persuaded to place these machines inside their shops. Extortion was suspected to be involved in only 1 case. Following Police procedures they investigated every rumor and they found 16 businesses in violation of the Law by permitting illegal gambling.

These businesses were using vender supplied machines. Special cards were used for the machines and were purchased from the Shops then the cards were used as money in the cards. Money was not given from the machines your wins and losses were recorded and depending on if you won or lost you were given a visa gift card usable anywhere with your winnings on it.

The business were lying to the state by applying for amusement Licenses. Amusements are allowed, but the difference is an amusement can not give out a prize of money or value for a game of luck only a game of skill and the value of the prize can not be much.

The Sheriffs office maintains that these businesses were proving illegal services and will remain shut until there court hearings.