- Another Florida “arcade” is accused of running an illegal gambling house
- The proprietors are facing RICO charges, which carry a life imprisonment possibility
A Florida senior center near The Villages in Sumter County allegedly ran an illegal gambling operation that generated more than $24 million in revenue between January 2023 and July 2025.
The Office of the State Attorney for Florida’s Fifth Judicial Circuit reports that law enforcement executed a search warrant at the IL Villagio Senior Entertainment Center in Lady Lake on July 15. Billed as a video arcade, the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) fielded numerous complaints about the business on allegations that it was “a local version of a Hard Rock Casino.”
Undercover FGCC agents later confirmed that the IL Villagio Senior Entertainment Center was masquerading as a video gaming arcade. The state officials reported back that the business was an illegal gambling house, allegedly operating slot-like gaming machines and not licensed games of skill as the proprietors had claimed in county business records.
Three Arrested, Charged
The July 15 raid conducted by the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office seized 190 slot machines and $348,221 in cash. A second search at a Marion County warehouse owned by the IL Villagio proprietors found additional gaming terminals.
The Florida Division of Financial Services alleges that the money trail from the IL Villagio was extensive. Financial investigators found that more than $24 million flowed through accounts connected with the illegal enterprise, with much of the cash being exchanged back and forth through shell companies via wire transfers and overseas accounts.
The probe alleges that nearly $3 million went directly into the personal account of Rima Ray, a St. Augustine resident who is listed as the CEO of IL Villagio. Ray reported less than $20K in income on his 2024 IRS filing.
Ray is facing a RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) charge, which carries a possible punishment of life imprisonment. He’s additionally charged with three first-degree money laundering felonies and a third-degree felony charge of keeping a gambling house.
This was a lucrative and highly illegal operation that targeted some of the most vulnerable members of our community — our seniors,” said State Attorney Bill Gladson. “Illegal gambling houses are not harmless entertainment. They open the door to exploitation, financial crimes, and other serious criminal activity.”
Two others, 69-year-old manager Terrance Morgan, of Ocala, and 67-year-old assistant manager Barbara Buzzard, of Summerfield, are facing similar charges.
Florida Has an Illegal Gambling Problem
In Florida, slot machines are only allowed inside Seminole and Hard Rock Casinos, and at racinos within Miami-Dade and Broward counties. However, anyone who lives in, or has recently been to, Florida knows illegal gambling outfits billed as arcades continue to proliferate the Sunshine State.
“These facilities are illegal and unregulated. They don’t pay taxes, and they prey on people who are unaware of their very real dangers. Numerous investigations have shown they often refuse to pay out jackpots to hapless customers. Many don’t even program their slot machines to deliver fair returns,” Seminole Gaming COO David Hoenemeyer advised the public this month.
Law enforcement has grown frustrated with state lawmakers who folded this year on legislation that would have increased penalties for persons found guilty of running an illegal gambling house. While the allegations against the IL Villagio defendants were elevated due to the offshore wire transfers, many people charged with running Florida arcades that police contend are illegal gambling businesses face only misdemeanor consequences.
The Florida Gaming Control Commission encourages the public to report suspected illegal gambling arcades at this webpage.
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