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

Posted on: December 26, 2024, 03:11h. 

Last updated on: December 26, 2024, 12:10h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More
Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

A dozen suspects now face charges in Florida after officials recently broke up an illegal gaming ring based in Jacksonville that operated in 10 locations.

Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters
Jacksonville 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 robberies and 26 assaults, The report said. On October 3, a security guard was murdered 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 Boulevard
  • 4547 Shirley Avenue
  • 5331 Lenox Avenue
  • 1513 Lane Avenue
  • 734 Edgewood Avenue North
  • 5045 Soutel Drive
  • 4006 North Main Street
  • 8014 Lem Turner Road
  • 4578 Blanding Boulevard
  • 6530 San Juan Avenue