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Last week, law enforcement conducted a massive series of gambling raids stretching across central and northern parts of the state.
Authorities seized 525 gaming machines and nearly $200,000 in cash over a 48 hour period the end of this past week. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said the number is likely to continue rising as the investigation progresses.
Lawmakers are attempting to push through legislation that would impose stiffer penalties on illegal gambling operators popping up across the state. However, the state's legislative session ends next week.
“It also brings in human trafficking and drugs, prostitution, and all kinds of other problems for these communities,” said State Rep. Jason Shoaf, R- Port St. Joe in regards to the other types of criminal behavior often tied to illegal gambling facilities.
“What we’re finding is that a lot of these bad actors are getting closed down only to open up a few doors down or a few streets away under a misdemeanor penalty. So, this will create a third-degree felony,” said State Rep. Dana Trabulsy, R-Fort Pierce.
These weren't just basement or nondescript warehouse operations. The raids occurred in established well known venues across the Jacksonville area.
They included the following:
Sam’s Discount Food Mart on Arlington Road
Lucky Food Mart on St. Johns Bluff Road
Cliff’s Bar and Grill on Monument Road
Captain Odies on Mayport Road
Shores Pub on Old St. Augustine Road
Monkey’s Uncle on San Jose Boulevard
Tienda Restaurant on Powers Avenue
Sunoco on Moncrief Road
Speedway on U.S. 90
Bald Eagle Pub on Timuquana Road
Rascal’s pub on Confederate Point Road
Jammes Pub on San Juan Avenue
The Jug Saloon on Lenox Avenue
Greybeards Bar on Commonwealth Avenue
Onyx Nails on Edgewood Avenue West
An illegal game house on Edgewood Avenue North
Many, if not all, the facilities remain open for business.
Cliff’s Bar and Grill is promoting live entertainment this weekend via its Facebook page. Monkey’s Uncle also remains open.
In December, authorities raided three unspecified locations in Jacksonville and Orange Park seizing what the Florida Gaming Control Commission called 230 illegal slot machines, 23 fish tables and additional digital media and related equipment.
Fish arcade games are especially popular in facilities across the U.S..
Julie Brown, chairwoman of the Florida Gaming Control Commission, said these recent law enforcement efforts are serving to protect the integrity of legal gambling in the state.
"Slot machines are illegal in these casinos. They're not tested, they're not regulated. They offer no protections to the player or assurances of fair play," Brown said.
Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
