Attorney General James Uthmeier Announces Seizure of Over 500 Gambling Machines in Large-Scale, Multi-County Illegal Gaming Crackdown

View PDF Release Date Feb 27, 2026 Contact Communications Phone (850) 245-0150

Courtesy of the Office of the Attorney General

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the results of a two-day sting operation targeting illegal gaming operations. The operation spanned Volusia, Brevard, Duval, and Flagler counties, resulting in the seizure of 525 illegal machines and $190,000 in illicit proceeds across 39 locations, according to preliminary operation results.

“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.”

“The partnerships we have with the Attorney General, Florida Gaming Control Commission and surrounding law enforcement agencies are what give us great results,” said Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey. “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!”

“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.”

“This successful operation sends a clear message that organized criminal activity has no place in Florida,” said Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters. “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.”

" The operators and slumlord property owners who prop up these unregulated, illegal casinos are ripping off our residents and costing them their savings, said Volusia County Sheriff Michael Chitwood. "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."

“ 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,” said Florida Gaming Control Commission Chair Julie Brown. “ 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. ”

This was a joint operation by the Gaming Control Commission, the Office of Statewide Prosecution, Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, Flagler County Sheriff's Office, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

Machines were seized from restaurants, bars, gas stations, sham arcades, and standalone illegal casinos—some unmarked and some masquerading as other businesses such as nail salons and beauty supply stores. Law enforcement seizures included stand-up slot machines, PC slot machines, tabletop machines, coin-push machines, and fish table machines.

This operation advances Attorney General Uthmeier’s 2026 priority of executing a statewide crackdown on illegal gaming operations. The Attorney General has urged the Florida Legislature to enact reforms to increase the penalty for keeping a gambling house to a felony.

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