Uncovering Jacksonville’s Shadowy Gambling Ring: Details, Players, and Community Impact
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A recent complaint filed by the Florida Attorney General’s Office has unveiled a complex illegal gambling ring operating in Jacksonville, implicating more than a dozen individuals. The document, submitted to the Duval County court last week, is the result of a yearlong investigation led by law enforcement, detailing the activities and structure of the operation.
Key Figures in the Operation
At the center of the complaint are six individuals identified as high-level members of the enterprise. Robin Rukab Azzam, described as the “boss” of the operation, is named alongside her husband, George Azzam, who actively contributes to managing the gambling establishments. Other key players include Ryan Strickland and Derek Fleming, who are responsible for supplying illegal gambling machines and software, Majd Dabbas, who manufactures some of these machines, and Jerry Bass, accused of laundering the profits generated by the illegal activities. Additionally, Willbert Bannister is named as a courier for the group.
According to the complaint, the gambling operation encompassed ten establishments throughout Jacksonville, utilizing illegal games such as “fish tables,” which involve shooting virtual fish; “fire links,” reminiscent of Las Vegas slot machines; and various internet games, collectively referred to as “Classic Games.”
Financial Maneuvers and Money Laundering
The complaint provides a troubling insight into how the group laundered money accrued from their illicit activities. It details a system where illegal funds were funneled into legitimate assets, including real estate and vehicles. Specific mention is made of multiple bank accounts utilized for this purpose and the activities surrounding the deposits. Additionally, Robin Azzam is accused of visiting legal casinos to ‘layer’ or obscure the origins of illegal money by mixing it with legitimate funds.
Mark Baughman, a Crime and Safety Analyst with experience investigating similar operations, explained that such efforts to conceal cash often involve creative and complex tactics. “Cash is being stored in a number of places. They’ll use banks, safety deposit boxes, or bury money. A lot of the cash will be laundered through legitimate casinos and other operations,” Baughman noted.
Law Enforcement’s Investigation
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) began scrutinizing the illegal gambling establishments following multiple community complaints. Their attention intensified after responding to a robbery in progress at one of these sites in March 2023, where illegal machines were discovered. Subsequent reports of robberies at other locations further confirmed the need for the investigation.
Tragically, the illegal gambling establishments were also linked to incidents of violence, including a deadly shooting that occurred on October 3, 2024, resulting in the loss of a security guard’s life at an Edgewood Avenue location.
Baughman emphasized that these venues often become targets of theft due to their cash operations. He explained, ‘Individuals that commit home invasions or target clandestine stash houses sometimes find out about these gambling operations and do the same, leading to shootings and violence.’
Charges Filed and Future Implications
The complaint was filed on December 11, 2024, coinciding with law enforcement executing search warrants at a residence on Ortega Farms Boulevard, associated with Ryan Strickland. The filing indicates that Strickland refers to Robin Azzam as his “partner” and is suspected of laundering money through his business, Triad Venture Capitalists LLC.
The defendants face numerous charges, including racketeering and money laundering. Among those arrested are Robin and George Azzam, Bass, Strickland, Dabbas, and Bannister.
Baughman cautioned that for the operation to be dismantled effectively, law enforcement must prove the illegal movement of funds, stating, “People that are making tons of money, not paying taxes, and are illicitly running these operations… the bigger charges are going to be racketeering and money laundering.”
Community Involvement in Reporting Illegal Activity
As the investigation progresses, law enforcement encourages community members to take an active role in reporting suspected illegal gambling activities. Baughman urged individuals who witness loved ones struggling with gambling addiction to reach out to authorities, stating, “The house always wins. No one walks out of there with a lot of money.”
As JSO continues to gather more information on this investigation, the Attorney General’s Office has stated that it cannot comment on ongoing cases, indicating that further details may emerge as the situation develops.