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 BioThe Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC), the Internal Revenue Service, and Homeland Security Investigations—the enforcement arm of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—have seized hundreds of illegal gambling machines in a coordinated multi-agency crackdown, known as “Operation Funny Money,” targeting unlicensed slot parlors in Northeast Florida.
According to FGCC, the agencies worked jointly, executing search warrants on December 11 at three locations across Clay and Duval counties. Authorities seized 230 illegal slot machines, 23 fish tables, and additional gambling-related equipment. The bust marked one of the largest enforcement actions against illegal gaming machines in the region this year.
“The Florida Gaming Control Commission welcomes the opportunity to partner with our federal and local partners to stem illegal gambling in our state,” FGCC Executive Director Alana Zimmer said in a statement. “We will take the vital, necessary steps to shut down illegal casinos that are popping up across Florida.”
Three Locations Targeted in Northeast Florida
FGCC said investigators executed search warrants at the following locations:
- Discount Fashion Arcade, 5530 Timaquana Road, Suite 4, Jacksonville
- 69 College Drive, Units 6 and 7, Orange Park
- 1212 Blanding Boulevard, Unit 9, Orange Park
Authorities transported all seized machines to an FGCC storage facility for evidentiary purposes. HSI collected and documented proceeds recovered from the machines as part of an ongoing federal investigation.
HSI served as the lead agency in the operation, with assistance from the IRS, FGCC, and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.
Under Florida law, slot machines are only permitted at Seminole Tribe casinos and licensed pari-mutuel facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Any slot-style gambling outside those locations is illegal.
Other Recent Illegal Slot Busts
The Northeast Florida raid comes amid a broader wave of enforcement actions across the state, with multiple illegal gambling operations shut down in the past two weeks.
In Sarasota County, sheriff’s deputies shut down an illegal gambling operation known as Paradise Arcade. They seized 81 slot machines and an undisclosed amount of cash during the December 16 action. Deputies arrested two women in connection with the operation.
Local reporting indicated that the business had previously received a cease-and-desist letter earlier this year, but continued to operate. FGCC agents assisted local authorities during the shutdown.
In Dixie County, a joint operation involving FGCC and local law enforcement on December 9 resulted in the seizure of 49 illegal slot machines and more than $6,800 in suspected gambling proceeds from two businesses in Cross City and Old Town. Authorities arrested two individuals.
On December 5, Orange County deputies shut down an illegal gambling operation disguised as a garage door repair business operating under the name LiftMaster Garage Door Repair.
Authorities seized 46 gambling machines and $25,220 in cash, arresting two men. Prosecutors filed charges that included racketeering, operating an illegal gambling house, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
Lawmakers Move to Close ‘Easy Reopen’ Loopholes in 2026
Florida authorities have intensified enforcement actions in 2025. However, observers have pointed out that the state has a “whack-a-mole” problem, where illegal gambling locations reopen or relocate quickly after seizures.
Florida lawmakers are looking to address the issue with two pre-filed bills for the 2026 legislative session.
HB 189 expands Florida’s gambling statutes and adds felony penalties for certain illegal gambling activities, targeting amusement-device parlors. It also requires FGCC to review new locations.
Separately, HB 591 proposes significantly harsher penalties for illegal gambling operations. That includes a new first-degree felony for trafficking 15 or more illegal slot machines.
It also reclassifies traditional gambling offenses into more severe felonies. That includes keeping a gambling house, renting property for gambling, or acting as an employee or agent.
Together, the bills represent the Legislature’s most aggressive attempt in years to raise the financial and criminal risk associated with operating illegal gambling businesses—particularly storefront arcades that regulators say can resume operations shortly after enforcement actions.
