Seminole Tribe Reminds Floridians About State’s Illegal Gambling Problem
Posted on: September 11, 2025, 12:06h.
Last updated on: September 11, 2025, 12:20h.
- The Seminole Tribe is encouraging the public to avoid unregulated gambling outfits
- Florida has an illegal gambling problem, with slots parlors masquerading as arcades
- The Seminoles are the only legal operator of Las Vegas-like casinos in Florida
The Seminole Tribe of Florida is urging Floridians to shun unregulated gambling businesses.
In a note from Seminole Gaming COO David Hoenemeyer, the tribe is reminding residents and visitors to Florida that the state’s many unregulated gambling businesses, which often bill themselves as arcades, internet cafes, and slot parlors, are illegal and shouldn’t be patronized.
These facilities are illegal and unregulated. They don’t pay taxes, and they prey on people who are unaware of their very real dangers. Numerous investigations have shown they often refuse to pay out jackpots to hapless customers. Many don’t even program their slot machines to deliver fair returns,” Hoenemeyer wrote.
Through its subsidiary, Seminole Gaming, the federally recognized tribe owns and operates six brick-and-mortar casinos across the Sunshine State. The Seminoles are the only tribe in Florida holding a Class III gaming compact with the state government that allows its Hard Rock and Seminole-branded casinos to operate Las Vegas-like slot machines and live-dealer table games, including house-banked games like blackjack, craps, roulette, and baccarat.
The Seminoles additionally maintain a monopoly on online sports betting through the tribe’s Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook.
Slots Legal in Certain Counties
Outside of the Seminoles’ six casinos, legal slot machines can be found inside racinos and parimutuel wagering businesses in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Other than that, all slots are unregulated and illegal across the state.
The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians, the only other federally recognized tribe in Florida, operates slot-like electronic bingo machines at its tribal casinos on its reservations in Miami and in the Everglades.
Drive off tribal lands or leave Miami-Dade and Broward, and the odds are good that you’ll soon come across an arcade that offers gaming terminals seemingly lifted from a Seminole or Las Vegas casino floor.
Casino.org has reported extensively on Florida’s illegal gambling problem. But because even the few business owners who are prosecuted for running unregulated gambling outfits are met with only misdemeanor penalties, the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC), police, and others seeking to rid the state of illicit gambling say the financial reward outweighs the legal risks.
In April, a bill to strengthen penalties from misdemeanors to felonies for those who knowingly run or help operate an illegal gambling house failed in the House of Representatives.
Consumer Warning
In his note on illegal gambling, Hoenemeyer stresses that the societal consequences of gambling in an arcade are substantial. The Seminole executive says the gambling businesses, which often occupy retail spaces in strip malls, are “venues for illegal drugs and violent criminal activity, caused by thugs who take advantage of their lax security and infrequent police patrols.”
Studies show they aren’t safe. Not for you. Not for anyone,” Hoenemeyer declared.
“We urge you to be vigilant and avoid putting yourself and others at risk by patronizing such places. Don’t make it easy for these crooks to take your dollars and simultaneously endanger your well-being,” Hoenemeyer concluded.
A list of legal gaming locations in Florida can be found here.
Last Comment ( 1 )
The whole damn state is illegal. The police do absolutely nothing to stop the gambling. The cities and counties give the perps business licenses knowing they are going to be gambling.