Florida authorities have sent a clear message to illegal gambling operators: enforcement is tightening. According to official figures released by the Florida Gaming Control Commission, the agency seized more than US$14.47 million and confiscated 6,725 illegal slot machines during 2025, marking a dramatic increase from 2024, when seizures totaled US$7.11 million and 1,287 machines.

The results reflect a more aggressive statewide strategy aimed at dismantling unlicensed casinos and protecting consumers from unregulated gaming environments. FGCC Executive Director Alana Zimmer highlighted the role of institutional backing in achieving these outcomes.

“The continued support of Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature has strengthened Florida’s gambling laws and helped protect our communities,” Zimmer said, emphasizing the commitment of the Commission’s law enforcement officers across the state.

Consumer Protection and Revenue Losses

State officials reiterated that illegal slot machines pose serious risks to players, as they are neither tested nor regulated. Without oversight, players have no guarantee of fair games, accurate payouts, or basic consumer protections, making them vulnerable to predatory operators.

Beyond consumer harm, illegal gambling also has broader economic consequences. Unlicensed operations routinely evade tax reporting, depriving both local communities and the state of revenue that would otherwise support public services.

Expanded Law Enforcement Partnerships

In parallel with increased seizures, the FGCC expanded its collaborative network in 2025, entering into 29 new memoranda of understanding with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. These partnerships have amplified the reach and effectiveness of enforcement actions, reinforcing Florida’s coordinated approach to combating illegal gambling.

Under Florida law, slot machines are permitted only at authorized gaming facilities. Legal slot play is limited to eight licensed pari-mutuel venues in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, as well as certain facilities operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Any form of unauthorized gambling or slot machine operation outside these locations is illegal.

The FGCC reiterated its mission to preserve the integrity of gaming in Florida through regulation, licensing, criminal investigation and enforcement, encouraging the public to report suspected illegal gambling activities through official state channels.