Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers mentioned that since assuming his position, his agency has dealt with almost 700 incidents related to arcade disturbances. In response, he is collaborating with county commissioners to create a new ordinance to impose stricter regulations on arcade businesses.
Meanwhile, at the state level, Dan DeCoursey, who heads the Law Enforcement division of the Florida Gaming Control Commission, expressed concerns over the addictive nature of these games. He highlighted that individuals, including retirees, spend significant portions of their pension and social security benefits at these arcades. DeCoursey described this situation as a form of exploitation, noting that despite the apparent losses, people continue to frequent these arcades, lured by the possibility of winning.
Authorities in the county have recently intensified efforts to close down local arcades, with the Moonlight Express arcade being the latest target. During the raid, 60 machines were confiscated, with the owner facing fines of $10,000 per machine. This establishment was trendy among the elderly community, who valued it as a social hub and a place for recreational activities.
Patrons, including many seniors, expressed their disappointment and frustration. For instance, Suzanne Taylor, a senior citizen, shared her thoughts on the Sebastian Daily’s Facebook page. She praised the Moonlight Express for being a respectful and safe environment, free from crime or drugs, and criticized what she perceives as unfair treatment towards the elderly.
Countering this argument, Flowers said that several families have reached out, expressing concern about their elderly grandmother or aunt’s addiction to these machines. These relatives find themselves repeatedly drawn to the arcades, unable to stop, prompting these families to seek assistance from law enforcement.
Furthermore, Flowers emphasized the issue of arcade machines operating without proper regulation. He pointed out that these machines represent a predatory threat to unsuspecting individuals, featuring odds heavily tilted in their disfavor. Flowers told Sebastian Daily the owner of Moonlight Arcade had been issued multiple warnings to cease operations before the raid, all of which were disregarded.
Following the recent spate of raids, many arcades in Sebastian have chosen to close voluntarily. However, a few remain operational in the county, risking potential raids and substantial fines. Flowers expressed worry that without continued pressure on these businesses, there’s a likelihood they may all eventually reopen.
During Tuesday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting, a proposal was made to ban all arcades, aiming to discourage new entrepreneurs from establishing arcade businesses in the area. However, Commissioner Susan Adams said they can’t necessarily ban them. Instead, she suggested imposing stricter regulations that would make it difficult for arcades to do business.
The sheriff’s office and county authorities have agreed to work together on drafting a new ordinance, which will be prepared early in the new year. The next phase will involve the county commissioners voting on the proposed ordinance after its completion.
