Bunnell, FL - Days after the Volusia County Sheriff's Office put 17 Internet cafes on notice for having illegal gaming devices on their property, the Flagler County Sheriff's Office does the same with one in Bunnell.
Dakota Joe's at 2245 South Old Dixie Highway was served a "cease and desist" notice by FCSO yesterday evening (November 1st), less than a week after a manager there was pistol-whipped during a robbery.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly says the investigation into that robbery is ongoing, but it has turned up gaming devices which pay winners in money or other items of value.
"These internet cafes are illegal in Florida and often become targets for crimes," Staly added. "Unfortunately, that is exactly what happened at this business."
The warning given to business owner Angelo Petta Jr. and landlord Pranav Shah is a "final notice" telling them to stop all illegal gambling within 48 hours or face a criminal investigation for it.
Employees and customers could also face criminal charges, per Staly.
"Now that Florida’s First District Court of Appeals has issued its ruling, it is time for Dakota Joe’s and any similar business operating in Flagler County to cut their losses and close their doors or face arrest," Staly noted.
That ruling backed up a Leon County circuit judge's claim that "pre-reveal" games are basically illegal slot machines, but the Florida Supreme Court is expected to weigh into this matter.
Florida Governor Rick Scott signed House Bill 155 in April 2013, which states that Internet cafes and adult arcades and not exempt from the state's gambling laws.
