- Florida AG Uthmeier wants the state to increase penalties for running an illegal gambling business
- Florida currently only levies misdemeanor charges against unlicensed gambling enterprises
The attorney general of Florida enforces the law but cannot make it. He’s pleading with state lawmakers in Tallahassee to update penalties related to illegal gambling convictions.
On Monday, following yet another high-profile case involving an illegal gambling business, this one involving a county sheriff and his wife who were allegedly involved in the criminal enterprise, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier “encouraged” the legislature to elevate penalties against those convicted of operating unlicensed gambling houses from misdemeanors to felonies.
Not only does it violate our state’s rule of law and put our consumers at risk, but it often breeds other illicit acts, like human and drug trafficking, money laundering, and racketeering. Right now, people can stand to make millions off unlawful gambling operations and just end up with a slap on the wrist,” Uthmeier said.
“This is not sending the right message,” Uthmeier continued. “It is not enough of a deterrent. I encourage the Florida Legislature to pursue heightened criminal penalties and increase the current misdemeanor charge to a felony.”
Sun Setting on Illegal Gambling?
Florida has the highest concentration of retirees in the country. About 21% of the Sunshine State’s population is aged 65 and older.
Many older adults enjoy playing slot machines. But with Las Vegas-like slots limited in Florida to the Seminole Tribe’s six land-based casinos and slot machines within Miami-Dade and Broward counties, many illegal gambling “arcades” have popped up from the Everglades to the Panhandle.
The unregulated businesses commonly offer newer slot terminals found in casinos across the nation. But unlike legal gambling enterprises, the games are not monitored for fair play.
In Florida, slot machines are required to have a minimum payout rate of 85%. At unregulated gambling arcades, some machines have been set to as low as 18%.
Unregulated gambling businesses often lack responsible gaming safeguards, and the venues typically have lax security protocols.
The possible financial gain, with many of the illegal businesses reportedly raking in millions of dollars a year, outweighs the possible misdemeanor penalties, says Uthmeier.
It’s time to ensure that the consequences for this illicit behavior correspond with the dangers it brings into our communities,” Uthmeier said.
The attorney general said law enforcement has taken down numerous large-scale illegal gambling operations that have spanned in the “tens of millions of dollars.” However, much law enforcement work regarding illegal gambling remains, as many of the bad actors open new illegal gambling arcades following their misdemeanor convictions.
Bill Introduced
Legislation to increase illegal gambling convictions in Florida to felonies died in the state House of Representatives earlier this year. When the legislature convenes for its 2026 session in January, the discussion will continue.
State Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Union) and Rep. Dana Trabulsy (R-St. Lucie) have pre-filed gaming bills in their respective chambers to levy felony charges in the third degree against persons found to be running an illegal gambling business. A person found guilty of a third-degree felony in Florida faces “a term of imprisonment not exceeding five years.”
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