Published on: November 25, 2025, at 08:09h.
Updated on: November 25, 2025, at 08:10h.
- Florida AG Uthmeier advocates for heightened penalties against illegal gambling operations
- Currently, Florida applies only misdemeanor charges to unlicensed gambling activities
Florida’s attorney general, while responsible for law enforcement, cannot create laws. He is urging state legislators in Tallahassee to reform penalties for illegal gambling offenses.
In light of a recent high-profile case involving a county sheriff and his spouse allegedly connected to an illegal gambling operation, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier urged lawmakers to elevate penalties for running unlicensed gambling venues from misdemeanors to felonies.
“These actions not only undermine our legal framework and compromise consumer safety but also foster additional criminal activities such as human trafficking, drug offenses, money laundering, and organized crime. Presently, individuals can profit millions through unlawful gambling while receiving minimal penalties,” stated Uthmeier.
“This sends the wrong message,” Uthmeier added. “The current penalties serve as insufficient deterrents. I urge the Florida Legislature to pursue increased criminal penalties and to elevate the current misdemeanor charges to felonies.”
Is the Era of Illegal Gambling Closing?
Florida boasts the highest percentage of retirees in the United States, with approximately 21% of its population aged 65 and older.
Many senior citizens indulge in playing slot machines. However, since Las Vegas-style slots are confined to the Seminole Tribe’s six land-based casinos and locations in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, a surge of illegal gambling “arcades” has emerged across the state.
These unregulated venues frequently feature newer slot machines found in legitimate casinos nationwide. Unlike licensed operations, these games are not subjected to fair play regulations.
In Florida, legal slot machines must have a minimum payout rate of 85%. Unfortunately, some machines in unregulated gaming venues are set as low as 18%.
Unregulated gaming sites often lack responsible gambling measures, and their security protocols are typically inadequate.
The attraction of financial profit, with many illegal operations reportedly generating millions annually, outweighs the mere misdemeanor penalties, according to Uthmeier.
“It is crucial to align the repercussions for these illegal activities with the risks they pose to our communities,” Uthmeier asserted.
The attorney general noted that law enforcement has dismantled several major illegal gambling operations that amassed profits in the “tens of millions.” Nonetheless, much work remains as perpetrators frequently reopen illegal gaming establishments after receiving misdemeanor convictions.
Proposed Legislation
A proposal to elevate illegal gambling offenses in Florida to felony charges failed in the state House earlier this year. The legislature will revisit this discussion when it reconvenes for the 2026 session in January.
State Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Union) and Rep. Dana Trabulsy (R-St. Lucie) have pre-filed gaming legislation in their respective chambers to impose third-degree felony charges on individuals found guilty of operating illegal gambling businesses. In Florida, a person convicted of a third-degree felony faces a maximum imprisonment term of five years.