Florida Seizes 479 Illegal Slot Machines in Gulf Coast Crackdown
NAPLES, Fla. – Florida authorities seized 479 illegal slot machines and more than $294,000 during a gambling crackdown in Lee and Collier counties.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the results of Operation Sunset Stakes at a news conference in Naples, where he was joined by local sheriffs and Florida Gaming Control Commission officials.
The week-long operation led to 11 arrests and the seizure of $294,150 from illegal gambling machines across Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Officials Link Illegal Gambling to Wider Crime
Uthmeier said the crackdown targeted unregulated gambling businesses operating outside Florida law.
“These illegal casinos fuel larger criminal enterprises that contribute to drug and human trafficking”, Uthmeier said. “We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to shut down all illegal gaming operations across the state.”
The operation was led by the Florida Gaming Control Commission, the Office of Statewide Prosecution, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said illegal gambling sites offer no consumer protections or guarantee of fair play.
“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”, Rambosk said.
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Statewide Crackdown Expands
Florida officials said Operation Sunset Stakes is part of a broader statewide campaign against illegal gambling.
Since the start of 2026, authorities have seized 3,114 illegal gambling machines and $1.7 million connected to unlawful gaming operations. The crackdown has also resulted in 81 arrests across the state. The Florida operation follows another recent enforcement case in which drugs and gambling machines were seized in an Andrews raid.
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said the multi-agency effort showed residents that law enforcement agencies are working together to shut down illegal gambling activity.
Florida Gaming Control Commission Chair Julie Brown also announced that a new law enforcement squad will be established in Southwest Florida next year to focus on illegal gambling operations.
Officials Seek Tougher Penalties
Uthmeier said he plans to push lawmakers to adopt harsher penalties for illegal gambling crimes. The attorney general has also warned payment processors that facilitating illegal online gaming could expose them to liability under Florida’s RICO Act.
Officials said enforcement will continue across Florida as authorities target illegal casinos, unlicensed machines and the financial networks supporting unlawful gambling activity.
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