PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) revealed more details aboutthe takedown of a major gambling ring that stretched from Palm Beach County, up the Treasure Coast, and even reached into the Tampa Bay area.

The Narcotics Division’s Money Laundering unit stated over $900,000 in cash was recovered along with more than 1,000 illegal slot machines. In addition to that, authorities seized three vehicles and two firearms.

Six people have been arrested as a result of the PBSO investigation, dubbed ‘Operation Fools Treasure.’ The arrests were the result of a PBSO sting operation into money laundering and illegal gambling operating in and around Palm Beach County.

PBSO agents say they identified multiple illegal gambling houses with Las Vegas-style video slot machines with cash prizes, a violation of Florida’s gambling laws.

The Gambling Houses

According to previous reports, one of the locations was in West Palm Beach in a Publix shopping plaza on Military Trail, just west of Tanger Outlets. Sandwiched at 2885 North Military Trail, between a dentist’s office and a dry cleaner the gambling den was dubbed ‘VIP Sweepstakes.’

“I would see ladies in my neighborhood saying they were going to the arcade. I thought they were talking about pinball machines,” one customer, Ann said. “One day, I went with them and won some money. I was so happy.”

According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBCSO), the investigation into VIP Sweepstakes began in 2019, back when it was known as the Treasure Hunt Arcade.

It wasn’t until 2022, when the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Money Laundering Unit took over, that investigators connected VIP Sweepstakes to three other arcades: Treasure Hunters in Fort Pierce, Pharaoh’s Treasure in Vero Beach, and another location in Zephyrhills.

During undercover operations, investigators observed that only cash was being offered as prizes. Under Florida law, the possession of slot machines offering cash prizes is illegal, except in specific licensed facilities, such as certain tribal locations and pari-mutuel sites in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.

Investigators say the arcade used ‘reload cards’—a tactic resembling cruise ship casinos. Patrons loaded money onto cards, played video slot machines, and cashed out their winnings—all in violation of state gambling laws.

The investigation identified Nova Roffey, 41, and her husband David Roffey as the owner of JJE Technologies LLC, which operates Treasure Hunt Arcade.

Jana Barvircakova along with Eric and Justin Silverstein have been booked into the Palm Beach County jail as well on multiple gambling-related allegations. Joseph Pestana has also been identified as a target of the investigation.

PBSO said probable cause was established to link all of the following businesses to illegal gambling:

• 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

The criminal network extended beyond the arcades. The investigation also led authorities to Miami-based Grandview Products, a company accused of supplying slot machines to these illegal arcades. Inside its warehouse, investigators found hundreds of slot machines, linking the supply chain directly to the Treasure Hunt Arcade and other locations.

Money Laundering Too

The investigation also uncovered significant money laundering activities associated with the arcades, involving three bank accounts linked to two LLCs. These accounts are held by JJE Technologies LLC at Wells Fargo and PNC Bank, and SWFL Center LLC at Fifth Third Bank.

From October 20, 2022, to October 19, 2023, a total of $763,196 in cash was deposited into the West Palm Beach arcade’s accounts. Those funds allegedly paid for payroll, utilities, and even luxury expenses like a Mini Cooper. Authorities say it was all part of a larger scheme to disguise the operation’s profits.

At the same time, $527,010 was deposited into the Vero Beach arcade, and $571,414 into an account associated with the Fort Pierce arcade.

Additionally, deputies reported the operation of multiple automated teller machines (ATMs) without traditional bank oversight. These ATMs, often referred to as white-label machines, are owned by private companies rather than financial institutions. Investigators noted that access to these independent ATMs is tightly controlled; only patrons of the illegal gambling establishments can use them, as arcade employees manage entry through a locked security system. The machines are allegedly installed to facilitate illegal gambling operations and are frequently stocked with cash generated from the arcades’ illicit activities.

The criminal network extended beyond the arcades. The investigation also led authorities to Miami-based Grandview Products, a company accused of supplying slot machines to these illegal arcades. Inside its warehouse, investigators found hundreds of slot machines, linking the supply chain directly to the Treasure Hunt Arcade and other locations.

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