Florida Targets Illegal Gambling Operations Statewide

Florida gaming regulators said they will continue to aggressively target illegal gambling operations across the state.

The Florida Gaming Control Commission doubled the amount of illegal gambling funds and slot machines confiscated in 2025 compared to the previous year. The commission seized $14.5 million in gambling funds and 6,725 slot machines from illegal gambling operations.

“I thank Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for their ongoing support of the Florida Gaming Control Commission,” FGCC Executive Director Alana Zimmer said last week. “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.”

Gaming Regulators Seek More Money For Enforcement

The effort to curb illegal gambling comes after the FGCC and law enforcement agencies asked state lawmakers for additional help in stopping these types of operations. SB 2500 was later passed and beefed up enforcement.

That came after the Seminole tribe began offering mobile sports betting throughout the state in the fall of 2023. The state also has numerous casinos and cardrooms. The vow to target illegal gambling comes as the state’s casinos have experienced drops in revenue.

According to the American Gaming Association, statewide commercial casino gaming revenue was $687.5 million in 2024, a decline of 0.5% from 2023. That marked the second consecutive year with a decline in annual commercial casino gaming revenue in Florida.

However, commercial gaming revenue doesn’t include the Seminole Tribe’s casino revenue. The tribe’s casino revenue isn’t public information. Commercial revenue only includes the Sunshine State’s pari-mutuel facilities.

Sweepstakes Casino Ban Back On The Table

Despite a failed attempt at a sweepstakes casino ban in May, a state legislator recently introduced another bill that would ban sweepstakes casinos. Along with the online gaming aspects, the bill would also prohibit betting with insider information and limit gambling advertising.

In related sweepstakes gaming news, New York Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. has said that making sweepstakes operators illegal opens the door for legal, regulated online poker in the state. He planned to once again introduce another bill legalizing online gaming this year.

“By shutting down unsafe, unregulated sweepstakes casinos, New York is reaffirming that if online gaming is going to exist in this state, it must be legal, well-regulated, and built with strong consumer protections,” he said.

If Florida takes the same route, DeSantis and the Seminoles could expand the current compact to include online casino platforms.