The joint operation spanning Volusia, Brevard, Duval, and Flagler counties targeted 39 locations over two days, resulting in the seizure of various illegal gaming devices including stand-up slot machines, PC slot machines, tabletop machines, coin-push machines, and fish table machines. Law enforcement raided restaurants, bars, gas stations, sham arcades, and standalone illegal casinos—some of which were unmarked while others masqueraded as legitimate businesses such as nail salons and beauty supply stores.
"Unlawful gambling operations often play a role as the financial backing behind criminal networks," said Attorney General Uthmeier. "These illegal casinos fuel organized crime, prostitution, and other illicit activities." Local sheriffs echoed concerns about the broader criminal implications, with Volusia County Sheriff Michael Chitwood noting that "these casinos are connected to money laundering, drug smuggling and human trafficking."
The operation represents a preliminary step in Uthmeier's announced plan for a major statewide crackdown on illegal gaming operations in 2026. The Attorney General has called on the Florida Legislature to increase penalties for keeping a gambling house to a felony level, suggesting current enforcement tools may be insufficient for the scope of the problem.
The coordinated effort involved the Florida Gaming Control Commission, the Office of Statewide Prosecution, and sheriff's offices from all four counties. Florida Gaming Control Commission Chair Julie Brown praised the collaboration, stating that "these actions are protecting Floridians from predators who mislead unsuspecting citizens." The multi-agency approach appears designed to address what officials describe as a statewide problem requiring coordinated enforcement.
"These unregulated machines rarely pay out because they are set for the house to win," said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. "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 added that the operation "sends a clear message that organized criminal activity has no place in Florida."
The seizures signal an escalation in Florida's enforcement against illegal gambling operations, with Uthmeier warning operators to "shut it down now" ahead of the promised 2026 statewide crackdown. The Attorney General's office has not yet announced specific legislative proposals or timeline for the enhanced penalties it is seeking.