JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Over the course of three days in February, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officers and detectives said they visited businesses across the city to search for illegal gambling machines.
Alongside the Florida Gaming Control Commission, JSO said it found more than 100 of these illegal machines at 16 different locations. Some of these spots are legitimate businesses, like restaurants, bars, and gas stations.
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Multiple people were arrested for felony charges for their role in these operations, JSO said.
Locations included:
-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 US Highway 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
“Nobody has permission to operate these illegal machines in our city,” JSO said in a news release. “These machines and the criminals who make these machines available prey on those who are vulnerable. They target those on a fixed income or with addiction concerns just to turn a profit.”
If someone knows of a place where these machines are being operated, let JSO know by calling 904.630.0500.
JSO said if someone approaches a business owner and wants to install a machine like this in their business, it is the business owner’s responsibility to ensure it is legal.