Manatee sheriff's investigation targets illegal 'game rooms'

Deputies seize 69 machines, $52,000 in cashin raid on First Street arcade that ignored sheriff's office demand to close.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office on Friday said some 40% of the 53 illegal gambling arcades it targeted as part of undercover operation have voluntarily closed, after the sheriff’s office in late May sent cease and desist letters warning owners they could be jailed and fined.

The owner of one such “game room,” Sizzling Sam’s Arcade, 3126 First St. W.,…