Operation Reel of Fortune: More than 100 Illegal Gambling Machines Seized in Citywide Crackdown
Over the course of three days in February 2026, officers and detectives with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) visited businesses across the city to search for illegal gambling machines. Alongside the Florida Gaming Control Commission, JSO 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.
Locations hit include:
- 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 Jacksonville. Multiple people were arrested for felony charges for their role in these operations.
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, please let JSO know by calling
904.630.0500.
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.
To view the post regarding these arrests on JSO's social media platforms, please click on one of the following links:
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