Over 500 illegal gambling machines seized in Florida 4-county raid at nail salons, restaurants, arcades

Over 500 illegal gambling machines seized in Florida 4-county raid

Law enforcement recently dismantled a large-scale gambling operation, seizing 525 illegal machines and $190,000 from 39 locations across four Florida counties. The investigation revealed sophisticated equipment—ranging from slot machines to "fish tables"—operating in unexpected venues like gas stations, nail salons, and beauty supply stores.

TITUSVILLE, Fla. - Florida authorities are cracking down on illegal gambling in the state, seizing over 500 machines from various restaurants, nail salons and arcades. 

What we know:

A massive law enforcement operation has dismantled an illicit gambling network spanning 39 locations across four Florida counties, revealing a sophisticated underworld of "sham arcades."

"This isn't just BINGO or Uno at the dining room table," Uthmeier said, saying they've confiscated 525 illegal machines at 39 locations in Volusia, Brevard, Duval and Flagler counties. 

In the investigation, law enforcement seized $190.000 from sophisticated machines, including stand-up slot machines, PC slot machines, tabletop machines, coin-push machines, and fish table machines. These machines were seized from restaurants, bars, gas stations, sham arcades, and standalone illegal casino businesses. Some of these casinos were operating inside nail salons and beauty supply stores, a press release from the Attorney General's office said.  

Two warehouses are now stuffed to the ceiling with illegal casino games, Uthmeier said. 

"If you want to go gamble, and you think ‘Oh wow, it’s in nail salon.' That's probably too good to be true. It is too good to be true," he said. 

Uthmeier: ‘The game is over’ 

The penalty for operating an illegal gambling business is too low, Uthmeier said, saying that's the cause of the "rampant" illegal casino businesses. 

People found operating an illegal gambling business are typically charged with a misdemeanor, which Uthmeier said is not enough.

"We've been calling on the legislature to heighten the penalties – they're working on some bills right now – I'm optimistic that you will have felonies for people that want to engage in this behavior," he said. "The risk is not going to be worth the reward." 

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced over 525 illegal gambling machines where seized. 

Uthmeier: 'Dangerous’ and ‘violent’ 

Uthmeier characterized unlawful gambling as dangerous and violent. 

He said there's almost always connections to money laundering, human and drug trafficking, burglary, drugs and weapons.

In Duval County alone, this operation resulted in five felony arrests, 14 misdemeanor arrests, 112 gambling machines seized and over $62,000 funds associated with the illegal gambling seized, Mike Shell, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Chief of Homeland Security, reported. 

"The operators and slumlord property owners who prop up these unregulated, illegal casinos are ripping off our residents and costing them their savings," Volusia County Sheriff Michael Chitwood said. 

Mike Chitwood, Volusia County Sheriff, speaks on illegal gambling in Florida. 

What is the Florida Gaming Control Commission?

Florida's Gaming Control Commission consists of five individuals who provide oversight of gaming compacts, slot machine facilities and criminal investigations. 

In 2025, the commission seized $14,474,336 and 6,725 illegal slot machines from illegal gambling during enforcement actions against illegal casinos. 

Where are gambling machines allowed in Florida? 

Legal gaming facilities and legal slot machines are permitted in eight licensed pari-mutuel facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, as well as at certain facilities operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the gaming commission said. 

It's against the law to offer slot machine gaming or unauthorized gambling at non-licensed facilities in Florida. 

What's next:

Throughout 2026, Uthmeier said more illegal casino raids will take place – all over Florida. 

"It's not just isolated to this region," he said.