Fort Pierce Arcades Shut Down: A New Chapter in Gaming Regulation

Two adult gaming establishments were shut down on the Treasure Coast during a statewide enforcement operation on Thursday aimed at several suspected illegal gambling venues.

Pharaoh’s Treasure arcade located at 901 14th Lane in the Majestic Plaza off U.S. 1, alongside Treasure Hunter’s Arcade at 4405 South U.S. 1 in Fort Pierce, were raided and taken into custody during an operation by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office labeled “Operation Fools Treasure,” as per a news release from the agency.

Also targeted and shut down were Treasure Hunt Arcade in West Palm Beach and Arcadia Arcade in Zephyrhills.

The investigation, which focused on suspected money laundering and illegal gambling activities throughout the region dating back to 2022, also included Grandview Products, Inc. and GV Products, LLC, both based in Miami, which law enforcement stated provided unlawful slot machines to the four establishments.

The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office provided aid to Palm Beach County and gaming commission agents in the Pharaoh’s Treasure raid.

“It’s a multi-raid bust from across the state,” stated Sheriff Eric Flowers.

Officers were seen removing items from Pharaoh’s Treasure on Thursday afternoon and loading them into trucks.

Five arrest orders and nine search warrants were issued on Thursday, with some results still awaited, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

Jana Barvircakova, 41, from Indian River County, was apprehended and charged with money laundering exceeding $100,000 and money laundering below $20,000 along with being an agent or employee of a gambling house, plus 50 counts of manufacturing, owning, or possessing a slot machine. She remained in the Indian River County Jail without bond on Thursday evening, according to official records.

According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, the Las Vegas-style video slot machines were discovered being utilized in venues classified as “illegal gambling houses.”

Katie Young, the communications director for the Florida Gaming Control Commission, stated that regardless of their corporate structure or licensing status, “They are not authorized to offer any form of legal gaming in the state.”

Outside of tribal territories, she mentioned there are merely eight locations in the state, with four in Broward County and four in Miami-Dade County, allowed to legally operate as gambling or gaming enterprises.

More: Arcade shut down in St. Lucie County; 3 arrested, over $18K seized

As detailed in the news release, additional agencies involved included the Florida Gaming Control Commission’s Gaming Enforcement Division, Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, Miami-Dade Police Department, and the Florida Statewide Prosecutors Office.

Pharaoh’s Treasure faced a temporary closure in 2023 amid investigations and shutdowns of several arcades across the Treasure Coast.

Corey Arwood is a breaking news journalist for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers. Follow @coreyarwood on X, email corey.arwood@tcpalm.com or reach out at 772-978-2246.