WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBSO) has linked one business in West Palm Beach and two on the Treasure Coast to illegal gambling and money laundering.
Operations Fools Treasure, a multi-agency investigation launched by PBSO in September 2022, found multiple businesses in Florida were running illegal gambling houses that offered "Las Vegas-style" slot machines and cash prizes, in violation of state gambling statutes.
A manager at a nearby business wanted to remain anonymous but told us he saw deputies raiding the VIP Sweepstakes arcade, formerly known as the “Treasure Hunt Arcade," on Thursday in West Palm Beach. He said “well over 50 machines were being taken out.”
The arcade is one of four that has been on law enforcement's radar as part of the investigation dubbed Operations Fools Treasure, which spans from Vero Beach down to Miami.
As part of the investigation, the following businesses were linked to illegal gambling activity and shut down:
- SWFL Center LLC, DBA: VIP Sweepstakes (JJE Technologies, DBA: Treasure Hunt Arcade) – West Palm Beach, FL
- Gold Wizards LLC (FTP Technologies LLC, DBA: Treasure Hunters Arcade & Prestige Sweepstakes) – Fort Pierce, FL
- Golden Dreams Entertainment LLC (CJJ Technologies LLC, DBA: Pharaoh’s Treasure Arcade) – Vero Beach, FL
- Florida Game Association LLC, DBA: Arcadia Arcade (AMGP Enterprises LLC) – Zephyrhills, FL
Two people were arrested: Ritesh Patel and Nova Roffey in Palm Beach County. Deputies say they were not only operating illegal gambling houses but also accused them of laundering money, using several bank accounts and ATMs inside the arcades. Deputies say more arrests will follow.
“I think it's a shame,” said Vincent Cassidy, who drives from Jupiter to play slots at the West Palm Beach arcade. He noticed the sign on the front door that says "Closed, no A/C," which the nearby business manager told us was put up by the arcade owners after the raid.
“PBSO said they put it up there so that people would stop knocking on the door," he said.
Roffey and Patel appeared in court for the first time Friday, both facing 25 counts of unlawful possession of slot machines, plus several other charges tied to the alleged money laundering and gambling operation. Both have yet to enter a plea.
Deputies say five arrest warrants and nine search warrants have been issued as part of the investigation with more pending.
The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and Miami-Dade Police Department were also involved in the investigation.
The investigation revealed that a Miami company, Grandview Products, Inc. and GV Products, LLC, supplied the illegal slot machines to these establishments.
