Florida Illegal Gambling Crackdown Continues With ‘Operation Sunset Stakes’

Posted on: June 11, 2026, 07:16h. 

Last updated on: June 11, 2026, 07:16h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • Law enforcement in Florida continues to crack down on illegal gambling
  • “Operation Sunset Stakes” resulted in the seizure of 479 unlicensed gambling machines
  • The Seminole Tribe has a near-monopoly on slots in Florida

Illegal gambling operators were put on notice last year by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. The rising star in Florida’s Republican Party has ordered law enforcement to keep up the pace in 2026 by continuing to raid suspected criminal gambling enterprises.

Florida illegal gambling James Uthmeier
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier speaks to reporters following the successful “Operation Sunset Stakes” sting on several alleged illegal gambling businesses in Lee and Collier counties. Uthmeier says Florida needs to update its criminal code to allow him to charge bad actors with stiffer penalties. (Image: Office of Attorney General James Uthmeier)

Uthmeier’s latest sting, “Operation Sunset Stakes,” led to hundreds of illegal slot machines and almost $300,000 in cash being confiscated.

Police executing search warrants seized 479 unlicensed and unregulated gambling machines and $294,150 in illicit proceeds. Eleven people were arrested in the multiday raids carried out in Lee and Collier counties.

Illegal gambling operations pose a threat to public safety and undermine our compact with the Seminole Tribe, which provides billions of dollars to the state to protect our environmental resources. These illegal casinos fuel larger criminal enterprises that contribute to drug and human trafficking,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier.

Uthmeier has no plans on slowing his takedown of illegal gambling, saying his office will continue working with its law enforcement partners until every illegal gambling operation is “shut down.”

Arcades Prey on Seniors

Slot machines in Florida are only allowed at casinos run by the Seminole Tribe and at certain parimutuel facilities within Miami-Dade and Broward counties. There are also slot-like electronic gaming machines at the Miccosukee Casino & Resort in Miami.

Slots found elsewhere are illegal, unregulated for fair play, and are often found in neighborhoods where many seniors have retired.

Last fall, Casino.org reported on an illegal gambling business masquerading as an “arcade” just outside of The Villages, the world’s largest age-restricted 55+ master-planned community. The law enforcement raid of the Il Villagio Senior Entertainment Center seized 190 slot machines and $348,221 in cash. A subsequent investigation determined that $24 million had flowed through accounts connected with the illegal gambling business over several years.

Uthmeier says law enforcement raids of illegal gambling businesses this year have taken more than 3,100 unregulated gambling machines out of the public. More than $1.7 million in cash proceeds have also been seized, and 81 people have been arrested.

Tougher Penalties Needed

Uthmeier and officials with the Florida Gaming Control Commission have repeatedly asked state lawmakers to pass legislation to strengthen penalties for running an illegal gambling business. Under the current statute, such bad actors are often only charged with misdemeanors.

Right now, people can stand to make millions off of unlawful gambling operations and just end up with a slap on the wrist, a misdemeanor. This is not enough of a deterrent to stop this illegal behavior,” Uthmeier said in a video post on X last November.   

While legislation was considered this year to heighten criminal charges for those running illegal gambling arcades, the Florida Legislature adjourned without passing a bill.