In a concerted effort to combat illegal gambling, the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC), in collaboration with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, has successfully dismantled multiple illicit casino operations across the state.
This initiative underscores Florida’s commitment to enforcing gaming laws and protecting its residents from unauthorized gambling activities.
Details of the Raids and Seizures
On December 10, 2024, FGCC agents assisted the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office in executing search warrants at five illegal casino establishments within the county. These operations resulted in the confiscation of:
- Over 500 illegal gambling machines and related equipment.
- More than $845,000 in cash proceeds from the illicit activities.
- A 2022 Chevrolet Silverado was utilized to transport funds between illegal casinos.
In a parallel operation, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office targeted illegal gambling venues, leading to the closure of 11 establishments, including:
- Preview Games, Orange City
- Winner’s Circle, DeLand
- Cyber Monkey, DeLand
- Phoenix 3, DeLand
- Comptrek, DeLand
- Lucky Seven Arcade, Pierson
- Spin-N-Win, Ormond Beach
- Winners, Ormond Beach
- Lucky Duck, Daytona Beach
- Klix Arcade, Daytona Beach
- Jiffy, Ormand Beach
Combined with an earlier operation in 2023, Volusia County detectives have seized more than 600 gaming machines and $1.1 million in cash. Each of the above-mentioned casinos was issued cease-and-desist letters before the raids were conducted.
Legal Implications and Community Impact
The operation of illegal casinos poses significant risks to communities, including the potential for associated criminal activities and the lack of regulatory oversight to protect consumers. Florida gambling laws prohibit unauthorized gambling establishments, and individuals involved in such operations may face charges related to operating illegal gambling houses and possession of unlawful gaming devices.
The recent enforcement actions serve as a deterrent to those considering engaging in or facilitating illegal gambling activities. They also reassure the public of the state’s dedication to upholding the law and maintaining the integrity of gaming within Florida.
How Many Casinos Are In Florida?
There are seven FL Indian casinos throughout the state, six of which are owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the other by the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida.
Florida tribes recently updated their compact with the state to include sports betting. After several attempts to derail the new privilege, online sports betting went live on November 7, 2023.