Attorney General James Uthmeier has announced the results of a two-day operation targeting illegal gaming activities across Volusia, Brevard, Duval, and Flagler counties. The operation led to the seizure of 525 illegal gambling machines and $190,000 in proceeds from 39 locations.
“Unlawful gambling operations often play a role as the financial backing behind criminal networks,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “These illegal casinos fuel organized crime, prostitution, and other illicit activities. Florida will see a major statewide crackdown on illegal gaming in 2026. If you’re running an illegal operation, don’t roll the dice; shut it down now.”
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey commented on the collaborative effort: “The partnerships we have with the Attorney General, Florida Gaming Control Commission and surrounding law enforcement agencies are what give us great results. They help us keep our crime down in our communities and keep our citizens safe, because we don’t turn a blind eye to any crime!”
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly noted concerns about victims: “These unregulated machines rarely pay out because they are set for the house to win. Illegal gambling is not a victimless crime. Often, it fuels other crime and preys on residents who are often elderly and on a limited income in the hopes of a big win.”
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters emphasized the message sent by this action: “This successful operation sends a clear message that organized criminal activity has no place in Florida. I’m grateful for the strong partnership between our agency, the Attorney General’s Office, and our regional law enforcement partners because by working together, we’ve made Duval County and the State of Florida a safer place.”
Volusia County Sheriff Michael Chitwood addressed broader criminal connections: “The operators and slumlord property owners who prop up these unregulated, illegal casinos are ripping off our residents and costing them their savings,” he said. “These casinos are connected to money laundering, drug smuggling and human trafficking. We will keep taking them down with our partners like the Attorney General and the Gaming Control Commission, but we really need further action from the Legislature to address this problem statewide.”
Florida Gaming Control Commission Chair Julie Brown expressed appreciation for support from state leaders: “The Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) is thankful to Governor Ron DeSantis, Attorney General James Uthmeier, the Florida Legislature, and our law enforcement partners for these outstanding results,” she said. “Thank you for this wonderful teamwork. These actions are protecting Floridians from predators who mislead unsuspecting citizens. True collaboration is key to a significant outcome such as today.”
The joint operation involved several agencies including the Gaming Control Commission, Office of Statewide Prosecution, Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Illegal machines were confiscated from various businesses such as restaurants, bars, gas stations, sham arcades as well as some establishments posing as nail salons or beauty supply stores. The types of equipment seized included stand-up slot machines, PC slot machines, tabletop machines, coin-push machines and fish table machines.
This effort aligns with Attorney General Uthmeier’s priority for 2026—a statewide crackdown on illegal gaming operations—and includes calls for legislative reforms to increase penalties associated with operating gambling houses.
The Florida State Executive Attorney General works throughout Florida to promote community safety by providing resources for seniors and military members (https://www.myfloridalegal.com/). The office also focuses on consumer protection through educational initiatives against fraud (https://www.myfloridalegal.com/) while collaborating closely with law enforcement via programs such as Back the Blue Campaign (https://www.myfloridalegal.com/).
As part of its mission in public service and consumer protection (https://www.myfloridalegal.com/), the office offers alerts about scams along with resources aimed at protecting Floridians from fraudulent practices.
