Adam Roarty is a journalist covering sports betting, regulation, and industry innovation for CasinoBeats. His coverage includes tax increases in the UK, covering breaking stories in the ever-evolving landscape of US betting such as the...
Read Full BioThe Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) has revealed the extent of its fight against illegal gambling this year, noting it has seized almost $15 million in illicit funds, more than double the $7 million seized in 2024.
In a press release, the FGCC said this year it seized a total of $14,474,336 and 6,725 illegal slot machines from illegal gambling during enforcement actions.
Last year, the gambling regulator confiscated $7,110,613 and 1,287 illegal slot machines. FGCC Executive Director Alana Zimmer stated, “I thank Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for their ongoing support of the Florida Gaming Control Commission.”
She added, “Their actions strengthen Florida’s gambling laws and help protect our communities. FGCC has been working diligently to halt illegal gambling through enforcement actions across the state, demonstrating the dedication of FGCC’s law enforcement officers.”
The actions of the FGCC were largely under the previous director, Louis Trombetta, with Zimmer taking up the role in October this year. She has vowed to continue the fight against illegal gaming operators.
Partnerships Key To Shutting Down Illegal Businesses
This year, the FGCC has increased its number of partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The organization said it has entered into 29 new memoranda of understanding in 2025.
A recent bust in collaboration with the IRS and Homeland Security seized 230 illegal slot machines. The raid marked one of the largest enforcement actions against illegal gaming machines in the region this year.
The FGCC warned residents about playing at illegal gaming venues, noting, “Players have no assurance of fair play, accurate payouts, or basic consumer protections. Many players are taken advantage of by predatory owners.”
While the agency has formed partnerships to increase the crackdown on illegal businesses, it has also been fighting corrupt officers. This year, Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez was arrested for his part in an illegal gambling operation that generated $21 million.
Lopez’s co-defendants, including his wife, have accepted plea deals in the case, with the suspended Sheriff now the only individual facing charges in court.
New Bill Seeks To Increase Crackdown
In addition to taking enforcement action against businesses currently operating outside the law, Florida lawmakers have proposed stricter measures to combat illegal gambling.
Two bills have been introduced recently that aim to tighten criminal penalties, target unregulated operators, and consolidate control over the state’s gambling landscape.
The state’s Attorney General, James Uthmeier, has also endorsed efforts to increase penalties for illegal gambling. He cited concerns about unregulated gaming parlors, match-fixing risks, and the growth of online gray-market casinos that operate outside the scope of consumer-protection laws.
The fight will continue into next year. In many cases, illegal gaming parlors quickly reopen following busts, operating under new names or at new locations. The FGCC has urged the public to report any concerns about venues operating illegally through its website or by phone.
