Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the results of a two-day operation targeting illegal gambling activities across Volusia, Brevard, Duval, and Flagler counties. The effort led to the seizure of 525 unauthorized gaming machines and $190,000 in illegal 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 highlighted the importance of partnerships with state and local agencies: “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 commented on the risks these machines pose: “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 cooperation among agencies: “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 called attention to broader impacts: “The operators and slumlord property owners who prop up these unregulated, illegal casinos are ripping off our residents and costing them their savings. 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 gratitude for interagency collaboration: “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. 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.”
Law enforcement confiscated various types of devices including slot machines—both stand-up versions and PC-based—as well as tabletop machines commonly used for coin-pushing or fish table games. These were found in restaurants, bars, gas stations, sham arcades masquerading as legitimate businesses such as nail salons or beauty supply stores.
This joint operation was conducted by several entities 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.
Attorney General Uthmeier stated that this action aligns with his priority for 2026—a broad effort against illegal gaming—and he has called on lawmakers to increase penalties associated with operating gambling houses.
As noted by its official website, the Florida State Executive Attorney General provides resources aimed at community safety—including initiatives supporting seniors—and works closely with law enforcement through programs like Back the Blue Campaigns. The office also focuses on consumer protection by offering alerts about scams along with educational efforts against fraud (source). Services provided by this office extend throughout Florida (source).
