A St. Petersburg sports activities bar that advertises reside music, meals, pool and arcade video games had one other attraction not talked about on its web site, in accordance with state playing regulators: 73 unlawful slot machines.
The Florida Gaming Control Commission seized the machines and $105,265 from The Zoo Sports Club and Grille, 5111 66th Street N., throughout a Sept. 10 enforcement motion that additionally focused Action Arcade, 6541 54th Ave. N.
At Action Arcade, brokers seized one other 90 machines and $142,020, bringing the haul from the 2 places to 163 machines and $247,285. Three folks have been issued notices to look on gambling-related prices, in accordance with the fee.
The Zoo presents a markedly completely different public face from the operation described by state regulators.
The 10,000-square-foot enterprise advertises itself as a sports activities and social membership with a full kitchen and bar, reside music, comedy, trivia, pool and darts. Its web site additionally promotes a “Player’s Lounge” with greater than 400 basic arcade video games.
The Catalyst emailed The Zoo looking for touch upon the state’s allegations and the machines seized from the property. The enterprise didn’t reply earlier than publication.
Action Arcade’s public footprint is extra explicitly centered on gaming. Online listings describe the 54th Avenue N. location as an grownup gaming arcade, with some promoting slot-style video games.
However, the company entity beforehand registered as Action Arcade of Florida LLC on the identical deal with voluntarily dissolved in June 2025, in accordance with state information. It is unclear who was working the arcade when brokers executed the warrant.
The Catalyst tried to contact Action Arcade by means of its publicly listed phone quantity however was unable to achieve anybody.
Gambling itself will not be prohibited throughout Florida. The state permits a number of kinds, together with the Florida Lottery, sports activities betting, card video games and on line casino playing at approved places. Slot machines, nonetheless, are far more tightly managed. Outside tribal casinos, they’re authorized solely at eight licensed playing services in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
State regulators say unlicensed bars, eating places and grownup arcades can not provide slot-machine playing.
The distinction additionally carries a monetary part for the state. Licensed slot services are topic to in depth oversight and pay Florida a 34% tax on slot-machine income, with the proceeds directed to the state’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund. Illegal playing operations fall outdoors that system of licensing, oversight and taxation.
The Gaming Control Commission dubbed the St. Petersburg enforcement motion “Operation Final Spin.” The searches have been carried out with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol and the state Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco.
State Rep. Berny Jacques additionally participated within the operation, in accordance with the fee and Jacques’ social media accounts. Jacques subsequently characterised the companies as “illegal casinos” and praised officers concerned within the searches.
“Removing 163 machines and nearly $250,000 in cash from these operators is about protecting the most vulnerable members of our community,” Jacques stated.
Jacques stated such machines too typically benefit from senior residents residing on mounted incomes. The fee’s announcement didn’t present details about the purchasers at both St. Petersburg enterprise, or say that the seized money had been decided to be playing proceeds.
The company additionally didn’t say how lengthy the machines had allegedly operated at both location or whether or not the companies had beforehand been warned or cited.
In a ready assertion, the fee stated it has shut down greater than 200 unlawful arcades statewide.
“Operation Final Spin, and the more than 200 illegal arcades we have shut down before this, should make it clear that our goal is to disrupt and dismantle illegal gaming across the state of Florida,” FGCC Vice Chair Tina Repp stated.