WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd says greater than two dozen folks, together with a number of retailer house owners, are dealing with costs after an undercover unlawful playing investigation dubbed “Operation Dangerous Odds.”
Surrounded by a few of the seized playing machines, Judd and different legislation enforcement officers spoke concerning the operation at a information convention in Winter Haven on Thursday.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd speaks at a information convention on Sept. 4, 2025.
The backstory:
Judd says the undercover investigation started with a “easy tip” about playing in again rooms at A-1 Low cost Beverage and Low cost & Deli, each on Pilaklakaha Ave. in Auburndale.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Workplace and the Auburndale Police Division joined forces, in accordance with Judd, with undercover detectives putting bets and profitable cash. Retailer clerks handed over the winnings in hid bankers’ baggage, in accordance with investigators.
Detectives then served search warrants on Wednesday, Sept. 3, seizing a complete of 48 machines from 12 shops countywide.
Playing machines faraway from shops
The Polk County Sheriff’s Workplace shared video displaying detectives eradicating unlawful playing machines from an Auburndale retailer as a part of a countywide bust.
Investigators say lots of the machines have been delivered from different states and even abroad in trade for a minimize of the proceeds.
Judd additionally says detectives seized greater than $100,000 in money he says was taken from “hard-working people.”
Six retailer house owners have been among the many 28 suspects arrested within the case, in accordance with Judd. 5 of the suspects are unlawful immigrants, as effectively.
What they’re saying:
Judd talked throughout Thursday’s information convention concerning the lack of regulatory oversight to guard gamblers from getting ripped off by illegally-operated machines.
“Not solely are these playing machines unlawful, however they’re ripping off the folks that gamble with them,” Judd mentioned.
Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff’s Workplace.
The sheriff additionally centered on the efforts of a number of legislation enforcement companies to close the playing operations down.
“Perceive one factor: you’re violating the legislation. Perceive one other factor: our detectives are going to analyze you. Perceive one other factor: we’re going to run by you want a dose of salts by a widow girl,” Judd mentioned.
The Supply: This story was written with info from a information convention in Winter Haven on Sept. 4, 2025.
