Manatee County soon will consider a plan to crack down on the illegal strip-mall casinos that have flourished in plain sight in defiance of a state ban — and to the frustration of local law enforcement.
Commissioner Tal Siddique, after meeting with sheriff’s office officials and the county attorney, said he will introduce a proposal at the Oct. 7 board of commissioners meeting to define the arcades more clearly under county law and create a licensing system to root out violators.
“It’s to differentiate the Dave and Busters of the world from Spin Fun Arcade,” Siddique said. “I think we all know the difference between the two. We need to make sure the law can differentiate — and specifically [weed] out the slot-style machines.
The move comes on the heels of a joint investigation by Suncoast Searchlight and Bradenton Herald in July that revealed how these so-called “adult arcades” have evaded area law enforcement for years, closing down on one block just to reopen on another. Authorities say that’s because of the lengthy legal and financial hassle of dismantling these operations — and the minimal return, since arrests often result in just a misdemeanor…