Illicit Florida Gambling Operation Leads to Arrests, Seizure of Millions in Cash, Assets

Illicit Florida Gambling Operation Leads to Arrests, Seizure of Millions in Cash, Assets.

Costfoto / NurPhoto / Getty Images

Key Takeaways

A dozen suspects now face charges in after officials recently broke up an based in that operated in 10 locations.

Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. WatersJacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters, pictured above. Earlier this month he announced the breakup of a Florida gambling ring. (Image: YouTube)

Since 2021, the suspects provided such illicit games as fish tables, fire links, and assorted internet offerings, according to First Coast News.

263 Gambling Devices Confiscated

The investigation led to the seizure of 263 gambling devices, $2.5 million in cash, 15 vehicles valued at about $1.7M, two houses, as well as assorted jewelry and watches, authorities revealed.

The suspects also allegedly deposited proceeds from the gambling ring in almost a dozen accounts at banks and credit unions. The total balance reached hundreds of thousands of dollars, officials said.

One of the suspects, Robin Rukab Azzam, who’s accused of leading the operation, allegedly went to licensed gaming properties to merge the illicit money with legal funds. 

She was identified as a one-time city employee in Jacksonville by Jax Today. She also once attempted to get elected to the city council, the report added.

Azzam’s husband, George Azzam, ran the gambling operation with his wife, authorities said. Other defendants include Ryan Strickland, Derek Fleming, Majd Dabbas, Jerry Bass, Willbert Bannister, as well as other individuals who had a lesser role, the report said.

Several of the suspects were booked on racketeering and illegal gambling charges, and were in custody earlier this month at the Duval County jail, according to Jax Today.

The office of Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody filed a 32-page complaint on the case in Duval County court on December 11 following an inquiry by the Jacksonville Sheriff s Office and other agencies, that extended for about a year.

Operation Fish Chips

The investigation was called “Operation Fish Chips,” according to Florida TV station WJXT.

The gambling locations were also the sites of other crimes, including eight and 26 assaults, The report said. On October 3, a security guard was at one of the locations.

Several of the locations reportedly were shuttered by officials following the deadly shooting of the guard.

By shutting down these illegal gaming locations and seizing their criminal proceeds, we remove one accelerant that ignites violence in our community,” Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said during a press conference held earlier this month.

WJXT identified locations of the Jacksonville gambling ring as:

5354 Verna Boulevard4547 Shirley Avenue5331 Lenox Avenue1513 Lane Avenue734 Edgewood Avenue North5045 Soutel Drive4006 North Main Street8014 Lem Turner Road4578 Blanding Boulevard6530 San Juan Avenue

Article Sources
Ontario’s Fallsview Casino to Appeal $70K Fine for Money Laundering editorial policy.
  1. Atlantic City Casino Smoking Ban Would Hurt Gaming Revenues Up To 25 Percent, Analyst Projects

Compare Accounts
×
Another Shooting Near Las Vegas Strip Casino Injures Man
Provider
Name
Description
South Korea Mohegan Inspire Casino Gains Prestigious Hotel Rating  Live Casino Company Buys 4K Powerball Tickets for Employees  Australia’s Liquor & Gaming NSW Clamping Down on Gambling Operators with More Fines  Former Employee Blows Whistle on “Scam” Skins Gambling Sites  Las Vegas Drag Races Saved by 11th-Hour Glue Donation  Grand Lisboa Palace Construction Halted in Macau Following Worker’s Fatal Fall  West Virginia Senator Exposed Himself in Slots Parlor, Prosecutors Claim  FanDuel, MLBPA Settle NIL Suit  Philadelphia Eagles Will Take a Break After ‘Thursday Night Football’  MGM Resorts Offering $607M for LeoVegas