Published on: September 30, 2025, 11:20h.
Updated on: September 30, 2025, 11:30h.
- Another “arcade” in Florida is under scrutiny for illegal gambling activities
- Operators face RICO charges, with potential life sentences
A senior community center in Sumter County, Florida, is said to have engaged in illegal gambling, amassing over $24 million in revenue between January 2023 and July 2025.
According to the State Attorney’s Office for Florida’s Fifth Judicial Circuit, law enforcement carried out a search at the IL Villagio Senior Entertainment Center in Lady Lake on July 15. Claimed to be a video arcade, the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) received numerous complaints suggesting it functioned as “a local version of a Hard Rock Casino.”
Undercover FGCC agents later verified that the IL Villagio Senior Entertainment Center was operating as an illegal gambling establishment, utilizing slot-like gaming machines, rather than licensed games of skill as documented by the proprietors.
Three Individuals Arrested and Charged
The raid on July 15 by the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office resulted in the confiscation of 190 slot machines and $348,221 in cash. A subsequent search at a Marion County warehouse linked to the IL Villagio owners uncovered additional gaming machines.
Financial investigators from the Florida Division of Financial Services reported an extensive money trail linked to the IL Villagio, discovering over $24 million in transactions through accounts associated with the illegal operation. Much of the cash reportedly moved between shell companies via wire transfers and overseas accounts.
Investigations indicated that approximately $3 million was funneled directly into the personal account of Rima Ray, identified as the CEO of IL Villagio. Despite this, Ray declared less than $20K in income on his 2024 IRS tax return.
Ray faces serious RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) charges, which could lead to life imprisonment. He is also charged with three counts of first-degree money laundering and a third-degree felony for operating a gambling house.
“This was a highly profitable and illicit operation targeting vulnerable individuals—our seniors,” stated State Attorney Bill Gladson. “Illegal gambling establishments are far from innocent entertainment. They facilitate exploitation, financial crimes, and other severe criminal activities.”
Additionally, two accomplices, 69-year-old manager Terrance Morgan from Ocala and 67-year-old assistant manager Barbara Buzzard from Summerfield, are facing similar charges.
The Illegal Gambling Issue in Florida
In Florida, slot machines are restricted to Seminole and Hard Rock Casinos and racinos in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. However, illegal gambling operations masquerading as arcades continue to thrive in the Sunshine State.
“These sites are illegal and lack regulation. They evade taxes and exploit individuals unaware of the associated risks. Multiple investigations reveal they often deny payouts on jackpots and manipulate slot machines to yield unfair returns,” stated Seminole Gaming COO David Hoenemeyer recently.
Law enforcement has expressed frustration with state legislators who halted legislation this year that would have escalated penalties for individuals found guilty of operating illegal gambling establishments. While the charges against the IL Villagio defendants are aggravated due to offshore wire transfers, many facing charges for managing Florida arcades deemed illegal only encounter misdemeanor penalties.
The Florida Gaming Control Commission urges citizens to report suspected illegal gambling arcades through their official website.