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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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The Zoo Sports Club and Grille\/Jackpot Corner
Credit: The Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
On Sept. 10, a search warrant was executed at the business during which authorities seized 73 slot machines and $115,346 in cash.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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Action Arcade
Credit: The Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Another surveillance operation was conducted on August 11.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n