More than $200,000 and 18 televisions were among the assets seized in an illegal gambling investigation that spanned almost a dozen businesses in Lake County.

The two-month investigation, which detectives dubbed Operation Jackpot, targeted 10 businesses that had been the subject of complaints called into law enforcement agencies and Crimeline, the Lake County Sheriff's Office said Friday.

Detectives say the following businesses were involved in illegal gambling:

  • Hot Seats, 25327 Highway 27, Leesburg; more than $20,000 seized;
  • Lucky U (a k a Hot Spot), 25010 Highway 27, Suite C, Leesburg; more than $16,000 seized;
  • Dreamers, 25010 Highway 27, Suite A, Leesburg; more than $17,000 seized;
  • Fantasy Entertainment, 25010 Highway 27, Suite E, Leesburg; more than $10,000 and three televisions seized;
  • Winners of Leesburg, 4120 Highway 27, Leesburg; more than $21,000 and four televisions seized;
  • Hot Spot II (aka Lake Copy and Print), 37415 Highway 19, Dona Vista; more than $10,000 seized;
  • Stop N Play, 28333 Highway 27, Leesburg; more than $5,000 and a television seized;
  • Winners of Clermont, 1529 Sunrise Plaza Drive, Clermont; more than $4,000 seized;
  • Mega Play, 1213 Highway 27, Clermont; more than $85,000, two televisions, a cash-counting machine, and 10 surveillance cameras seized;
  • Los Chiflados (a k a Three Stooges), 1450 Sunrise Plaza Drive, Clermont; more than $15,000 and seven televisions seized.

Four people also were arrested and charged during the operation: Christopher DeCotis, 26; Luis Hernandez, 50; Samir Aguiar, 38; and Brenda Martinez, 42. DeCotis was charged with firearms possession by a convicted felon; the others were charged with keeping an establishment for gambling.

Police officers from Leesburg, Clermont, Tavares and Mount Dora assisted Lake deputies in the investigation. Detectives said more arrests are expected.