Attorney General James Uthmeier announces seizure of over 500 gambling machines in a two-day sting operation targeting illegal gaming operations.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said Friday that “the game is over” for illegal gambling operations in Florida after a sweeping two-day sting across four counties led to the seizure of more than 500 machines and nearly $200,000 in cash.

The operation targeted illegal gaming businesses in Volusia, Brevard, Duval and Flagler counties. Authorities said 525 illegal gambling machines and about $190,000 in cash were seized from 40 locations.

“As you can see behind me, we’ve got sophisticated machinery, large devices,” Uthmeier said during a news conference. He added that illegal gambling operations are often tied to other crimes. “You almost always see connections to money laundering, human and drug trafficking, burglary, drugs, weapons and it is serious,” he said. 

“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,” said Uthmeier, “We’re going to take down unlawful gambling operations. The game is over.”

In Duval County alone, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office shut down 17 illegal gambling locations, including restaurants, bars, arcade centers and strip mall casinos.

Deputies made five felony arrests and 14 misdemeanor arrests, seizing 112 gambling machines and more than $62,000 in cash, according to the sheriff’s office.

“These illegal operations historically draw violent crime and narcotic activity,” said Mike Shell, the agency’s chief of homeland security.

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

Mark Baughman, a crime and safety expert for First Coast News who previously led similar enforcement efforts, said law enforcement agencies often begin by issuing warnings before taking stronger action.

“My sheriff would typically send me into a lot of these particular gambling cafes and give them a warning letter and say you have 24 hours to cease operations. If you don’t, we’re going to come back and we’re going to enforce our statutes on you, meaning that we’re going to seize the machines and any gains or any monies that are derived from it,” Baughman said.

He said operations like this one are meant to deter others. “You might want to reconsider not having them and operating them because you know sooner or later it’s going to be investigated,” Baughman said.

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.

Lawmakers are considering tougher penalties for illegal gambling. Senate Bill 1580, filed in January, would increase penalties for operating illegal gambling businesses. Currently, offenders are typically charged with a misdemeanor.