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 BioRaids on two suspected illegal gambling operations in Fort Myers spotlight the persistence of Florida’s underground gambling trade, with state and local authorities seizing 109 slot machines and nearly $95,000 in cash.
The multi-agency operation by the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, dubbed “Gold Rush Spin and Repeat,” shut down Spin City Arcade on Reflection Parkway and Gold Rush on Cypress Lake Drive.
Authorities issued Notices to Appear to two individuals: Stamenia Gacevic and Kelsey Jean Russell. The FGCC emphasized that those machines are unregulated, which puts patrons at risk.
“These unregulated machines offer no consumer protections, no verified payout standards, and no reliable recourse when people are harmed. They can attract criminal activity, exploit vulnerable residents, and siphon dollars from lawful, regulated gaming that supports jobs and public programs,” said FGCC Director L. Carl Herold.
Under Florida law, slot machines and similar gambling devices are permitted only in licensed locations. They include tribal casinos and select locations in Broward and Dade counties. Operating them elsewhere is illegal.
Not an Isolated Case: Crackdown Accelerates
The Fort Myers raid follows a string of enforcement actions across the state in recent months. In September, an operation dubbed “Operation Bad Odds” in Polk County resulted in 28 arrests and the seizure of 48 gambling machines and $100,971 in cash.
Later that month, State Attorney Bill Gladson brought RICO charges against an operation accused of moving $24 million in illicit revenue in Sumter County.
In August, raids targeted arcades in Cape Coral, a neighboring city of Fort Myers. They resulted in the seizure of $540,000 in cash and 428 illegal gambling devices. Earlier that month, in Port Richey, the FGCC and local police confiscated nearly $200,000 in cash and 249 devices.
Some commentary has framed law enforcement’s efforts as a game of “whac-a-mole.” New illegal arcades are appearing soon after others are shut down.
The problem extends beyond storefront arcades. In September, prosecutors released a 255-page affidavit detailing alleged criminal activity by suspended Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez. The documents implicated him in an alleged $21 million illegal gambling enterprise.
According to the affidavit, before Lopez became sheriff in 2020, he told a co-defendant in the case that he intended to use his position to shield the illegal enterprise. In one text message, he wrote:
“Kate, nothing to worry. No matter what the outcome is, when I win, we start the first internet amusement cafe in Osceola County. You will be safe … because I will be your sheriff.”
Prosecutors allege that once in office, Lopez played a central role—helping secure sites, recruiting operators, advising on locations. For his role, he received regular cash payments. Typical payments ranged from $10,000 to $35,000 at a time, totaling between $600,000 and $700,000.
Connecting the Dots: Patterns & Gaps
The multiple raids, including the latest in Fort Myers and the Lopez affidavit, happening in the same enforcement climate, are not a coincidence. They underscore Florida’s fight against illegal gambling.
- Operator resilience: Every time authorities shut down an illegal operation, a new one often opens elsewhere.
- Institutional vulnerability: The Lopez case, if proven he’s guilty, shows how public officials might be co-opted, reinforcing a cycle of impunity.
- Lost revenue: The state loses tax revenue and regulatory control when illegal gambling occurs.
- Strategic mismatch: Raids are reactive. Without upstream surveillance, enforcement can be one step behind.
What’s at Stake & What’s Next?
For Florida residents, illegal arcades pose multiple risks. They include financial harm to players as the arcades often offer rigged games, potential crime increases around the venue, and erosion of public trust in regulation. FGCC has urged the public to report suspicious slot machines.
As raids continue statewide, questions remain about whether Florida’s current enforcement strategy is enough to deter operators who appear able to regroup as quickly as authorities can shut them down.
