A “caretaker” of an elderly couple in Florida who allegedly stole approximately $100K from the seniors was arrested this week inside what appeared to be one of the many illegal gambling businesses masquerading as an “internet café” or “arcade” in the Sunshine State.
Police in Volusia County had been looking for 56-year-old Yvonne Wroblewski, an in-home caretaker who an elderly couple told law enforcement stole their money.
According to a charging affidavit, the unidentified couple entrusted Wroblewski with using their credit cards and bank accounts to make purchases and pay bills on their behalf. Instead, Wroblewski allegedly stole almost $100K from the couple.
What she did with the allegedly ill-gotten funds remains a mystery. However, Wroblewski’s arrest inside an illegal slots facility in DeLand could hint that some of the money funded her gambling habit.
Florida ‘Arcades’ Remain a Problem
Las Vegas-style slot machines are illegal in Florida outside of Miami-Dade and Broward counties, and inside casinos operated by the Seminole Tribe.
The Seminoles have six casinos in the state. Licensed parimutuel facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties are additionally allowed to house slots. A tribe in Southeast Florida additionally operates slot-like electronic bingo machines.
The law hasn’t stopped seemingly countless strip mall storefronts from opening up businesses with electronic gaming machines that allow players to gamble for cash. The illegal businesses are often marketed as “internet cafes” and “arcades.”
The illegality of such businesses seemingly remains a conundrum, even to some law enforcement agencies. Despite the business where Wroblewski was located and arrested looking like an underground gambling hub, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office referred to it as an “internet café” in a statement on X.
In-home caretaker Yvonne Wroblewski has been arrested for the exploitation of a senior couple in DeLand. She gained their trust & took them for up to $100K. She was arrested at an internet cafe in DeLand this week after a deputy spotted her vehicle there,” the tweet read.
Casino.org located the unlicensed gambling business in the Countryside Square strip mall along S. Spring Garden Ave. in DeLand.
State Crackdown
The Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) says arcades like the one where Wroblewski was apprehended are nothing more than illegal gambling enterprises. To combat the statewide problem, in April, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a bill allowing seized gaming machines and money from unlicensed casinos to become state property.
Wroblewski has been charged with grand theft, exploitation of the elderly, and fraudulent use of personal identification. She remained in Volusia County Jail as of Thursday afternoon on $60K bail.
The FGCC provided Casino.org with a statement on the DeLand incident.
This unfortunate case shows the truly predatory nature of illegal gambling in Florida, with illicit businesses committing crimes that directly impact communities and some of our most vulnerable populations. Unlawful, unregulated gambling at illegal casinos have no guarantees of fair play, provide absolutely zero consumer protections, pay no state tax on their revenue, and offer no recourse if an operator refuses to pay out winnings.
“Illegal casinos are a true threat to Floridians and visitors, and the Florida Gaming Control Commission is dedicated to addressing illicit gambling throughout the state to protect the safety and integrity of our communities. We do encourage citizens to report any illegal casinos or other unlawful gambling operations to us so we can investigate further and work with local law enforcement partners to shut these down.”
Concerns can be reported online at FLGaming.gov/File-a-Report, by email at Contact@FLGaming.gov, or by phone at 850-880-3433.
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