Published on: January 6, 2026, at 02:00h.
Updated on: January 5, 2026, at 04:03h.
- In 2025, Florida gaming authorities confiscated over $14 million from unlawful gambling enterprises
- Additionally, they seized 6,725 unregulated gambling devices last year
Various illegal gambling establishments throughout Florida have been warned that law enforcement is focusing on cracking down on their illicit operations.
The Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) oversees all legal casino activities, parimutuel betting, and sports wagering in the state. Its goal is to “maintain and safeguard” the integrity of gaming operations, including conducting criminal investigations and enforcement efforts.
During raids on unregulated gambling sites, often disguised as arcades, the FGCC reported seizing $14,474,336 last year. This amount marks a substantial increase from the approximately $7.1 million taken from illegal operations in 2024.
“I extend my gratitude to Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for their unwavering support of the Florida Gaming Control Commission. Their efforts fortify Florida’s gambling regulations and enhance community safety,” stated FGCC Executive Director Alana Zimmer.
“The FGCC is actively engaged in combatting illegal gambling through extensive enforcement actions statewide, showcasing the commitment of FGCC’s law enforcement personnel,” Zimmer added.
Historic Crackdown
In addition to seizing over $14.4 million, the FGCC reports capturing a record number of 6,725 illegal slot machines during its enforcement activities last year. In comparison, only 1,287 illegal gaming devices were seized in the previous year.
These gaming machines are not regulated or tested by the state for fairness or consumer protection. Players have no guarantees of payout, with some machines programmed to return significantly less compared to the slot machines in Seminole and Hard Rock casinos.
Both the FGCC and Attorney General James Uthmeier are optimistic that in 2026, lawmakers will elevate penalties for running illegal gambling operations. Currently, offenders face misdemeanor charges only.
The current penalties are insufficient to deter such activities. I implore the Florida Legislature to seek heightened criminal repercussions, transitioning from misdemeanor charges to felonies,” Uthmeier remarked in November.
“These operations not only undermine our state’s laws but also put consumers at risk, frequently leading to other criminal activities such as human trafficking, drug trafficking, money laundering, and racketeering,” the Attorney General added.
Targeting Seniors
With Florida housing one of the largest retiree demographics in the nation, numerous scammers have exploited elderly individuals through illegal gambling arcades where the odds of winning are extremely low. In September, Casino.org reported on an arcade near The Villages that allegedly amassed over $24 million in winnings from players within a few years.
Currently, individuals can profit millions from illegal gambling operations yet only face minimal consequences,” remarked Uthmeier.
Slot machines are restricted to eight authorized pari-mutuel facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, as well as casinos operated by the Seminole Tribe. For a comprehensive list of legitimate, regulated slot machine venues, click here.