Illegal Gambling Operation in Sarasota County

Two men have been charged in connection with an illegal gambling operation in Sarasota County. The pair, officials say, were also found to have been in the U.S. illegally on revoked visas.

Mevin Rodrigues, 28, and Dylan Cardoso, 30, were arrested on September 2 at Magic Arcade located at 5624 Swift Road, following a months-long investigation into several illegal gambling operations by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.

Rodrigues faces charges of possessing a slot machine and keeping a gambling house. His arraignment is scheduled for September 29, but the probable cause affidavit related to his arrest was not available.

Cardoso has been charged with functioning as an employee of a gambling house and possessing a slot machine. He is set to appear in court on October 3.

According to the affidavit for Cardoso’s arrest, he worked as a clerk at Magic Arcade. An undercover detective visited on August 19, inserting $100 into a slot machine and winning $219 after several plays. Cardoso provided the detective with cash based on a printed voucher from the machine, which was subsequently placed into evidence.

During a search warrant execution at Magic Arcade on September 2, officials reported that Cardoso was found hiding in a locked closet, which detectives had to forcibly open. He possessed “multiple sets of security keys” commonly found in illegal slot machine casinos, along with a key that controlled diagnostics for the slot machines.

Throughout the investigation, agents from the Florida Gaming Control Commission seized cash and 117 slot machines from the establishment, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.

“We continue to partner with the Florida Gaming Control Commission to rid our community of these gambling businesses,” stated Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman. “Our citizens’ complaints have been heard, and we are successfully shutting them down.”

Currently, both Rodrigues and Cardoso are detained at the Sarasota County Correctional Facility. The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office reports it is working with Homeland Security Investigations for enforcement regarding illegal immigration.

“These arrestees were not only violating our state gambling laws but also our immigration laws,” noted Hoffman. “Through our partnership with ICE, they will face accountability.”

Key Information

• Arrestees: Mevin Rodrigues (28), Dylan Cardoso (30)
• Location: Magic Arcade, 5624 Swift Road, Sarasota County
• Charges:
  • Rodrigues: Possessing a slot machine, keeping a gambling house
  • Cardoso: Employee of a gambling house, possessing a slot machine
• Arraignment Dates:
  • Rodrigues: September 29
  • Cardoso: October 3
• Evidence Seized: 117 slot machines and cash
• Law Enforcement Collaborators: Florida Gaming Control Commission, Homeland Security Investigations