Video above: See the week’s top headlines in Tampa Bay
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — An undercover operation involving illegal gambling activity at two Pinellas County businesses led to the search and seizure of 163 slot machines and over $250,000.
According to search warrants, on Jan. 17, the Florida Gaming Control Commission launched an investigation into a suspected illegal gambling activity at “The Zoo Sports Club and Grille,” located at 5111 66th Street North in St. Petersburg.
The Zoo Sports Club and Grille/Jackpot Corner
Credit: The Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit
“The investigation was initiated following multiple complaints through the FGCC complaint portal in which the business was consistently described as a large-scale casino containing numerous slot machines and possible poker tables,” the document reported.
A law enforcement special agent employed by the FGCC conducted surveillance at the business, the warrant said, and was able to confirm the presence of a business operating under the names “The Zoo Sports Club,” and “Joker’s Wild,” which was later changed to “Jackpot Corner.”
On June 11, 2025, special agents with the FGCC conducted an undercover investigation at the business during which they observed what appeared to be a casino inside.
The warrant said that inside the business, agents observed a doorway to a separate room that contained approximately 150 machines that “met the definition of a slot machine under section 849.16 Florida Statutes.”
At least four more undercover surveillance operations were conducted between April 16 and August 11. The findings confirmed that the Zoo Sports Club and Grille was, the affidavit said, ” keeping the premises open for gambling,” therefore in direct violation of Florida Statute 849.01.
Florida Statute 849.01 states that it is a second-degree misdemeanor to keep or maintain a gambling house or allow others to gamble in a space you control. Failure to adhere to this is punishable by fines of up to $500 and up to 60 days in jail.
On Sept. 10, a search warrant was executed at the business during which authorities seized 73 slot machines and $115,346 in cash.
During the investigation of “The Zoo Sports Club and Grille,” a review of financial information uncovered that funds were regularly transferred between it and another business, Action Arcade, located at 6541 54th Avenue North in St. Petersburg, the document said.
Action Arcade
Credit: The Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit
On April 27, 2026, agents with the FGCC conducted an undercover surveillance operation at Action Arcade during which they observed approximately 100 slot machines in total.
Another surveillance operation was conducted on August 11.
A search warrant was executed at “Action Arcade” on Sept. 10, during which authorities seized 90 stand-up slot machines and about $142,000 in cash.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.