Published on: December 4, 2025, 03:34h.
Updated on: December 4, 2025, 03:34h.
- Florida lawmakers are set to evaluate tougher penalties for illegal gambling in 2026
- Illegal gambling venues are casting a shadow over Florida’s legitimate gaming market
The prevalence of illegal gambling “arcades” in Florida, often found in retail shopping centers, may soon come to an end as a statewide enforcement effort appears to be on the horizon.
Pressure is mounting for the Florida Legislature to bolster its weak penalties for gambling law violations, with advocates ranging from the state attorney general to the influential Seminole Tribe. The legislative session begins on January 13 and will continue for two months until March 13.
Multiple bills aimed at combating illegal gambling have been proposed ahead of time. The most recent, House Bill 591, was introduced by Rep. Berny Jacques (R-Pinellas) and seeks to enhance penalties for various illegal gambling activities while centralizing regulation enforcement to stop local authorities from enacting conflicting laws.
“Illegal gambling poses a significant threat to our society, and this legislation aims to address that issue directly,” stated Jacques. “This bill is a proactive measure to tackle the problem.”
Alongside unregulated “arcades” that harbor illegal slot machines, Florida is also experiencing an influx of offshore sportsbooks claiming superior odds to the sole licensed operator in the state, Hard Rock Bet. Additionally, contentious online sweepstakes casinos continue to aggressively market their services within Florida.
Minimal Consequences
Jacques emphasizes that his bill aims to protect consumers from fraudulent gaming machines and deter criminal organizations from exploiting existing regulatory gaps. HB591 follows the pre-filing of similar legislation by Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Union) and Rep. Dana Trabulsy (R-St. Lucie), both of which also advocate for harsher penalties against illegal gambling facilitators.
In Florida, slot machines are legally restricted to the six casinos owned by the Seminole Tribe and racinos in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, with electronic bingo machines also permitted at the Miccosukee Casino & Resort in Miami and the tribe’s Little Trail Casino in the Everglades.
Despite these legal restrictions, traveling along I-75, I-95, or I-10 reveals numerous illegal gambling operations masquerading as arcades at almost every exit. Law enforcement officials and the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) report that operators of these illegal venues remain undeterred by the current penalties, which typically amount to mere misdemeanor charges.
“It is imperative that we align the penalties for these illicit operations with the severe implications they pose to our communities,” Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier remarked last month, urging the legislature to act decisively.
On Tuesday, the FGCC annihilated 147 illegal slot machines retrieved in Brevard County by crushing them with a bulldozer.
Seminole’s Influence in Lobbying
Few organizations wield as much sway in Tallahassee as the Seminole Tribe, second only to possibly Disney. Frustration is mounting within the tribe regarding the persistent issue of illegal gambling, which undermines their legal casino businesses.
In September, David Hoenemeyer, COO of Seminole Gaming, issued a warning about the growing presence of illegal gaming arcades.
“Recent reports have highlighted the surge of gaming arcades across Florida, all of which operate unlawfully and pose risks not just to unsuspecting customers,” wrote Hoenemeyer.
“These establishments are illegal and unregulated. They fail to contribute tax revenues, and they take advantage of individuals unaware of the real dangers involved. Numerous investigations reveal that these venues frequently deny jackpot payouts to unsuspecting patrons and manipulate their slot machines to provide unfair returns,” added the Seminole executive.