Law enforcement has alerted Florida's numerous unauthorized gambling establishments that their unlawful operations are being targeted.

The Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) serves as the primary gaming regulator for all types of legal casino gambling, parimutuel wagering, and sports betting within the Sunshine State. The agency's goal is to "maintain and defend" the integrity of gaming activities, which includes criminal investigation and enforcement.

According to the gaming regulator, its raids on illegal gambling establishments disguised as arcades last year resulted in the seizure of $14,474,336. The watchdog increased the amount of money taken from unlawful casinos in 2024 to about $7.1 million.

“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.

Crackdown on Records

The FGCC reports that 6,725 illegal slot machines were seized during enforcement operations last year, in addition to more than $14.4 million in seized currency. In the preceding year, the agency confiscated just 1,287 illegal gambling devices.

The state does not test or control these gambling devices for fair play or customer protection. Some devices have been found to be designed to pay out considerably less than slot machines found in Seminole and Hard Rock casinos, leaving players with no guarantees that they would do so.

The FGCC and Attorney General James Uthmeier hope that 2026 will be the year that the legislature increases penalties for operating an unauthorized gambling business. Only misdemeanor charges are levied against offenders at this time.

"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.

Pensioners Targeted

Many con artists have exploited older residents with unlawful gambling arcades where the machines hardly ever hit big, as Florida has one of the largest retiree populations in the country. According to Casino.org, one such arcade near The Villages made over $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.

Casinos owned by the Seminole Tribe and eight licensed parimutuel sites in Miami-Dade and Broward counties are the only places where slot machines are permitted. Click here to view a list of authorized slot machine sites.