Another resident who lives at the community complained to the state authorities about gambling at the Escondido Condominium retirement community in Altamonte Springs. Not only where mahjong games being played, but the some residents participated in $5 bingo nights and penny-ante poker.
The four women, between the ages of 87 and 95, played mahjong games for hours on a daily basis, and they wagered small amounts of money at a table near the condominium’s swimming pool.
Last week, the police paid a visit to the retirement community and broke up the weekly game night.
The condominium management sent the women a formal notice telling them there would be no more bingo, poker or mahjong played in the location until further notice. Policed reportedly visited the condominium a few more times to make sure the games weren’t being played.
Police gave the condo board a copy of Florida’s gaming statute, which does allow mahjong to be played, as well as hearts, bridge, pinochle, rummy and canasta, but soliciting participants by advertising is not allowed. This includes leaflets that were taped to the condo’s clubhouse doors.
Police did decide the games were harmless and apologized. Bob Burnett, the president of the condominium association’s governing board, said a complaint was made and the police had to check it out.
