JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Robberies, drunken fights and gambling-addicted clientele is what residents living next to the Best Bet poker room in Regency were expecting to encounter.
But in their first month, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is reporting the exact opposite and local businesses said they are actually reaping the benefits.
Most people in the area said the poker room has been a huge success.
Lou Salameh, of The Sheik restaurant, said, "A lot of people have had some mixed feelings about bringing the bad element to the area, but we haven't seen any of that."
Salameh said he's been pleasantly surprised by the increased business he's noticed in just the past few months at his restaurant.
While there's no real way to determine exactly where the customers are coming from, he has a pretty good idea.
"We have seen a lot of foot traffic in the area," Salameh said. "The poker room being open 24 hours, I get here very early in the morning and the parking lot is just full."
The poker room is just one block away, where one month revenues have surpassed everyone's expectations.
New statistics reveal Best Bet made more than all 24 Florida poker rooms, raking in more than a million dollars in a month.
"It's quiet. Nothing eventful," said Karen Jackson, who lives next to the poker room. "The only activity is over there. You see a lot of cars over there. It's good."
Jackson said her neighbors were concerned about crime, but JSO officers actually report a decrease, comparing this year and last.
Violent crime is down more than 26 percent. Property crime is down more than 24 percent and overall crime has dropped by more than 24 percent.
The locals and business owners said the trend is encouraging, and they're willing to bet that better days are ahead.
"It's a good thing, and if it helps the local businesses, I'm all for it," Salameh said.