Two women in Miami-Dade have found themselves on the wrong side of the law after deputies conducted an undercover operation targeting illegal gambling activities. The suspects, 52-year-old Kenia Landa and 60-year-old Beatriz Vichot, were apprehended on charges linked to running a gambling operation out of Galaxy Arcade located at 12218 Southwest 8th Street. According to NBC Miami, deputies went undercover between August 13 and the day of the arrest to investigate the arcade.
On the day of the sting, two undercover detectives were issued $50 each to initiate the operation. One was reportedly promised an additional $10 for gambling as part of a weekend promotion had they arrived earlier, as stated by Vichot, noted by deputies. Notably, Vichot indicated her readiness to set up a bingo game should ten customers gather. This interaction, alongside the detectives' experience using the illegal gaming machines, provided the necessary evidence to move in. Both suspects are charged with bookmaking, possession of a gambling device, and acting as employees of a gambling house. Surveillance operations confirmed that Galaxy Arcade serves "no legitimate purpose other than facilitating illegal gambling with cash payouts," as per the arrest reports obtained by Local 10.
During her court appearance, Landa was informed by Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Mindy S. Glazer about the nature of her charges: "You were arrested for bookmaking, renting a house for purposes of gambling, and also acting as a keeper or agent of a gambling house," as captured in the court records. Landa's bond was set at $3,650, while Vichot secured her release on a $3,150 bond. Their cases are expected to be overseen by Judge Laura Stuzin, as detailed by Local 10.
Meanwhile, the sheriff's office has implied that the circumstances of the case present a straightforward, rather unambiguous scenario of illegal gambling. The undercover deputies reportedly sought to get "an illegal payout" while engaging with the arcade's gaming machines. Following a conclusive search warrant execution, the two women were taken into custody. Deputies underscored in their reports that Vichot was the sole arcade employee at the time of their visit, and she was directly involved in issuing cash payouts, with Landa responding to the scene upon request, further cementing their involvement in the operation.
