Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier unveiled the results of a major illegal gambling operation in Southwest Florida and paired the announcement with a warning to payment processors that handle transactions connected to offshore betting sites serving customers in the state.
Over several days in Lee and Collier counties, investigators arrested 11 people, confiscated 479 illegal gaming machines, and recovered $294,150 in alleged illicit proceeds. The operation brought together the Florida Gaming Control Commission, the Office of Statewide Prosecution, and local sheriff’s offices in both counties.
At the same time, Uthmeier released a June 10 letter sent to Visa General Counsel Julie Rottenberg. In that letter, he argued that offshore gambling operators depend on payment networks to process deposits, withdrawals, and other customer transactions. The state says Visa may be providing services to online gambling businesses operating illegally in Florida, including SportsBetting, BetNow, BetOnline, Lucky Rebel, BetUS, XBet, and Bovada.
Florida targets payment processors amid statewide gambling enforcement efforts
State officials described the Southwest Florida action as part of a wider enforcement campaign that has steadily expanded across the state. Recent efforts have included gambling investigations in Manatee County, raids in Sarasota County that resulted in the seizure of 69 machines, and a separate statewide crackdown that removed 623 illegal machines from operation. The Florida Gaming Control Commission has also intensified enforcement activity in multiple regions as authorities continue targeting unlicensed gambling businesses.
“Illegal gambling operations pose a threat to public safety and undermine our compact with the Seminole Tribe, which provides billions of dollars to the state to protect our environmental resources,” Uthmeier said. “These illegal casinos fuel larger criminal enterprises that contribute to drug and human trafficking. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to shut down all illegal gaming operations across the state.”
The attorney general’s letter argues that Florida law largely restricts gambling to licensed operators and authorized tribal gaming. It also contends that payment processors knowingly facilitating transactions tied to illegal gambling enterprises could face exposure under state money-laundering laws and Florida’s RICO statute.
Uthmeier additionally pointed to the financial impact of illegal gambling. The letter cites an industry estimate valuing the illegal online gaming market at roughly $510 billion annually and claims states lose more than $13.3 billion in tax revenue each year nationwide. Florida’s legal gaming industry, by comparison, generated $241.8 million in slot-machine tax revenue during the last fiscal year.
Since the start of 2026, authorities say they have seized 3,114 illegal gaming machines, recovered about $1.7 million in proceeds, and arrested 81 people.
“I want to thank Attorney General James Uthmeier, Gaming Control Commission Chair Julie Brown, and their respective offices for their partnership in keeping our community safe,” said Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk. “These illegal and unregulated gambling businesses and machines provide zero consumer protections, no guarantee of fair play, and no recourse if an operator simply disappears with their money. Unregulated machines take advantage of customers. Make no mistake–these are not harmless establishments.”
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said the operation demonstrated coordination among state and local law enforcement agencies.
“This coordinated, multi-agency effort led by the Florida Gaming Control Commission, working alongside the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Attorney General’s Office shows the residents of Southwest Florida that we are a law-and-order state,” Marceno said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the agents, detectives, and prosecutors that worked on this operation.”
Florida Gaming Control Commission Chair Julie Brown said the agency plans to expand its enforcement presence in the region.
“The Florida Gaming Control Commission is grateful for the continued support of Governor Ron DeSantis, Attorney General James Uthmeier, the Florida Legislature, and our law enforcement partners as we carry out this important public safety mission,” Brown said. “Because of that support, the FGCC will establish a new law enforcement squad in Southwest Florida in the coming year, expanding our ability to confront illegal gambling and protect Floridians from those who would exploit our communities for profit.”
Featured image: Office of the Attorney General
