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Sumter County affirms revocation of multiple Internet-cafe operating permits after sheriffs inspections
Summary
The Sumter County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 9 affirmed staff revocations of operating permits for multiple Internet-cafe businesses after Sumter County Sheriff's Office inspections, and authorized the county attorney to seek injunctions and open code enforcement cases if businesses remain open.
The Sumter County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 9 affirmed staff determinations to revoke several Internet-cafe operating permits in the unincorporated county after inspections by the Sumter County Sheriff's Office and training provided by the Florida Gaming Commission.
County Administrator Bradley Arnold told the board the revocations follow a July 26, 2025, sheriffs inspection that found machines the Florida Gaming Commission described as slot machines and that those findings form the basis for revocation under the Sumter County Land Development Code. Arnold said revocation letters were emailed Aug. 21 and sent by certified mail Aug. 22, placards were posted on-site Aug. 22, and staff set appeal hearings for Sept. 9 so permit holders could be heard.
Attorney Kelly Mathis, representing several permit holders, disputed the county's characterization of the machines and urged the board to delay action so his clients could pursue review. Mathis argued the devices in question are electronic "sweepstakes" systems and said: "What we have here is a drastic, drastic remedy under a drastic, drastic time frame." He told the board his clients had long relied on the county ordinance permitting sweepstakes-style operations and said they had not been given sufficient time to respond to the Novices of intent to revoke.
Bradley Arnold and sheriffs-office investigators told the board the Florida Gaming Commission provided training to local deputies on identifying illegal gambling equipment and that sheriff's reports document deputies inserting currency, playing games, receiving printed cash-out vouchers, and exchanging vouchers for cash during investigations. Arnold said the county established the Sept. 9 appeal hearings on behalf of the businesses to ensure due process at county expense.
Public comment included Kevin King, who identified himself as an employee and security officer at one of the game rooms and said residents rely on the venues for social activity and work: "We're not hurting anybody. We're just trying to provide entertainment, socialize." King said the businesses had complied with county rules in the past.
After discussion, the board voted to affirm the revocations and, in the same motions, authorized the county attorney to pursue injunctive relief and code-enforcement actions if any business continued to operate without a permit. The board took unanimous action to affirm the revocations and give direction to legal staff.
Votes at a glance - OP25-01 (Gold Rush Vending LLC d/b/a Coconuts, parcel D01M0008D): Board affirmed staffs revocation (revocation effective Aug. 25, 2025); authorized county attorney to seek injunction and open code enforcement if operation continued. - OP25-02 (VIP Zone LLC d/b/a Dreamers, parcel F32-049): Affirmed revocation; authorized injunctive and code-enforcement action if continued operation. - OP25-03 (Players Palace, parcel D01M008C): Affirmed revocation; authorized injunctive and code-enforcement action if continued operation. - OP25-04 (Sunshine 10, parcel D01H300): Affirmed revocation; authorized injunctive and code-enforcement action if continued operation. - OP25-05 (Il Villaggio, parcel D01-118): Affirmed revocation; board noted Il Villaggio was reported closed and that the state had executed a warrant and seized machines at that location. - OP24-0411 (Bushnell 7-11 LLC d/b/a Dreamers Arcade, parcel N07-14): Affirmed revocation; authorized injunctive and code-enforcement action if continued operation. - OP24-013 (Senior Social Center, parcel D01H700): Affirmed revocation; authorized injunctive and code-enforcement action if continued operation.
Why this matters The county framed the actions as enforcement of the Sumter County Land Development Code after sheriffs-office inspections identified devices the Florida Gaming Commission had characterized as slot machines. Permit holders contend the devices operate under sweepstakes rules permitted by state law and that the county and sheriff's office did not give adequate time or information to contest the revocations before the effective date.
Next steps Several permit holders may pursue judicial review of the board's decisions. The county attorney was authorized to seek injunctive relief and to begin code-enforcement proceedings against premises that remain open after revocation.
