State Rep. Berny Jacques has made his position on illegal gambling clear. Now, months after pushing legislation aimed at strengthening Florida’s gambling laws, the Pinellas County Republican says he joined law enforcement as officers raided two alleged illegal casinos in his own backyard.
Jacques announced the enforcement action, dubbed “Operation Final Spin,” in a social media post Friday.
According to Jacques, the Florida Gaming Control Commission led a multi-agency task force that executed raids at two alleged illegal casinos in Pinellas County. He said authorities seized approximately 170 illegal slot machines and nearly $250,000 in cash.
“Illegal gaming is a scourge on our community, and I applaud the officers for their excellent work,” Jacques wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The operation marks a new chapter in an issue Poliverse previously examined, as Jacques prepared to take his fight against illegal gambling to Tallahassee.
In December, Jacques filed House Bill 591, a sweeping gambling proposal for the 2026 legislative session.
The 86-page bill sought to revise criminal penalties for numerous gambling offenses and prohibit certain forms of internet gambling. It also targeted trafficking in slot machines and parts, certain gambling advertisements and other activities associated with illegal gambling.
Under the proposal, operating, conducting or promoting prohibited internet gambling could constitute a third-degree felony. HB 591 defined internet gambling broadly to include certain internet-accessible games awarding money or something of value based on chance and simulating casino-style games such as slots, video poker and table games.
Ultimately, HB 591 did not become law. The bill died in the House Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee at the conclusion of the 2026 legislative session.
Jacques’ appearance alongside law enforcement during Operation Final Spin shows that his convictions haven’t waned, even if his proposed bill did.
Following a previous raid last December, Jacques declared that “Florida will continue to be a law and order state.”
Jacques did not identify the two businesses targeted on Friday, nor their owners or operators, or whether anyone was arrested or charged. It also did not provide case numbers or other records detailing the allegations against the establishments.
Neither the Florida Gaming Commission nor Pinellas County Police Department was immediately able to comment prior to publication.