Florida Gaming Regulator Doubles Down on Illegal Gambling Raids
Posted on: January 6, 2026, 02:00h.
Last updated on: January 6, 2026, 08:59h.
- Florida gaming regulators seized more than $14 million from illegal gambling businesses in 2025
- The state also confiscated 6,725 unregulated gambling machines last year
The countless illegal gambling rooms across Florida have been put on notice that their illicit businesses are being targeted by law enforcement.
The Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) is the chief gaming regulator of all forms of lawful casino gambling, parimutuel wagering, and sports betting in the Sunshine State. The agency’s mission is to “preserve and protect” the integrity of gaming activities, including criminal investigation and enforcement.
The gaming regulator says its raids last year of unregulated gambling parlors, often masquerading as arcades, resulted in the seizure of $14,474,336. The regulator doubled the roughly $7.1 million it seized from illegal casinos in 2024.
“I thank Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for their ongoing support of the Florida Gaming Control Commission. Their actions strengthen Florida’s gambling laws and help protect our communities,” said FGCC Executive Director Alana Zimmer.
“The FGCC has been working diligently to halt illegal gambling through enforcement actions across the state, demonstrating the dedication of FGCC’s law enforcement officers,” Zimmer added.
Record Crackdown
Along with the more than $14.4 million in seized money, the FGCC says it captured a record 6,725 illegal slot machines during the enforcement actions last year. The department seized only 1,287 illegal gaming terminals in the prior year.
Such gaming machines aren’t tested or regulated by the state for fair play and consumer safeguards. Players have no assurances that the machines pay, with some machines found programmed to pay out far below slot machines found inside Seminole and Hard Rock casinos.
The FGCC and state Attorney General James Uthmeier are hopeful that 2026 is the year when state lawmakers elevate penalties for running an illegal gambling business. Currently, violators are subjected to only misdemeanor charges.
It’s not enough of a deterrent. I encourage the Florida Legislature to pursue heightened criminal penalties and increase the current misdemeanor charge to a felony,” Uthmeier said in November.
“Not only does it violate our state’s rule of law and put our consumers at risk, but it often breeds other illicit acts, like human and drug trafficking, money laundering, and racketeering,” the AG continued.
Retirees Targeted
With Florida home to one of the largest retiree populations in the country, many schemers have preyed on the older people with illegal gambling arcades where the machines rarely hit big. In September, Casino.org reported on one such arcade near The Villages that reportedly won more than $24 million from players in just a few years.
Right now, people can stand to make millions off unlawful gambling operations and just end up with a slap on the wrist,” Uthmeier said.
Slot machines are limited to eight licensed parimutuel facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, along with casinos owned by the Seminole Tribe. For a list of legal, regulated slot machine locations, click here.
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