Chavdar Vasilev is a journalist covering the casino and sports betting market sectors for CasinoBeats. He joined CasinoBeats in May 2025 and reports on industry-shaping stories across the US and beyond, including legislative debates, market...
Read Full BioFlorida Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Gladson and Florida Gaming Control Commission Director Carl Herold announced the shutdown of a $24 million illegal gambling operation in Sumter County. Gladson’s office has filed racketeering charges against three people.
Inside the IL Villagio Operation
Investigators say the IL Villagio Senior Entertainment Center in Lady Lake operated as an unlicensed casino disguised as a café that targeted vulnerable seniors. Residents described the facility as a “local version of the Hard Rock Casino.”
On July 15, authorities executed a search warrant at the site. They seized 190 slot machines and more than $348,000 in cash. A second search in Marion County uncovered additional machines.
According to Gladson’s office, investigators revealed that over $24 million flowed through accounts tied to the illegal operation between January 2023 and July 2025. The money was moved through shell companies, wire transfers, and overseas accounts.
Nearly $3 million went directly into the personal account of the business’s CEO, Rima Ray. Ray has reported an annual income of less than $20,000. Ray, 44, of St. Augustine, was arrested in July.
Authorities later arrested Terrance Morgan, 69, of Ocala, and Barbara Buzzard, 67, of Summerfield. All three face charges, including racketeering, three counts of money laundering, keeping a gambling house, and possession of slot machines.
“This was a lucrative and highly illegal operation that targeted some of the most vulnerable members of our community—our seniors,” said Gladson. “Illegal gambling houses are not harmless entertainment. They open the door to exploitation, financial crimes, and other serious criminal activity.”
Part of Broader Florida Crackdown
The RICO case follows a series of gambling arcade closures across Florida in recent months. At the beginning of this month, a multi-agency crackdown dubbed “Operation Bad Odds” in Polk County resulted in 28 arrests and the seizure of 48 gambling machines and $100,971 in cash.
Similar raids were made in Port Richey and Cape Coral. Authorities seized 249 machines and nearly $200,000 in the former and $540,000 and 428 machines in the latter.
Statewide, police have described their efforts as a game of “whac-a-mole” against operators who reopen under new names after raids. Just last week, authorities shut down two more arcades in Central Florida.
The crackdown has also led to the arrest of a sheriff, tied to a $21 million illegal ring in Osceola County. According to court documents, Osceola County Sheriff Marcos R. Lopez offered protection and insider information to others involved in the illicit operation and even helped find suitable locations.
Significance of RICO Charges
The IL Villagio case differs from recent arcade busts. That’s because prosecutors filed charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
RICO statutes allow the state to pursue enterprise-wide penalties, including asset forfeiture, by treating defendants as members of an organized criminal operation rather than as independent offenders.
The application of RICO highlights the scope of the alleged gambling enterprise. It could influence how Florida pursues similar cases against unlicensed senior centers, arcades, and gaming cafés.
These illegal enterprises have persisted despite crackdowns due to factors such as lenient penalties and inadequate regulation. The use of RICO charges could give authorities stronger tools to shut them down and prevent them from quickly reopening.
