Shutdown of two illegal casinos in Tavares

Florida Gaming Control Commission Acting Executive Director Ross Marshman stated that: “we are grateful for the collaboration with Chief Coursey and her outstanding team". And added: "llegal casinos continue to be a concern in Florida’s communities, and we are glad to shut the doors on these two criminal enterprises”

Florida law strictly regulates gambling, with slot machines permitted only in licensed gaming facilities, including eight pari-mutuel facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties and six Seminole Tribe of Florida establishments. It is illegal to operate slot machines or any other unauthorized gambling machines at an unlicensed facility in the state. 

The two illegal casinos included in this operation were: 

• Jungle Hut, 324 E. Burleigh Boulevard, Tavares. Agents seized 71 illegal slot machines and six illegal fish tables, as well as $31,887 cash. One arrest was made for one count of Possession of Slot Machines and one count for Keeping a Gambling House. 

• Lucky Arcade, 508 S. Duncan Drive, Tavares. Agents seized 47 illegal slot machines and one illegal fish table, as well as $30,164.61 cash. One arrest was made for one count of Possession of Slot Machines and one count for Keeping a Gambling House. 

The Florida Gaming Control Commission is responsible for exercising all regulatory and executive powers of the state with respect to legal gaming, including pari-mutuel wagering, cardrooms, slot machine facilities, oversight of gaming compacts, and other forms of gambling authorized by state law, excluding the lottery, as well as directly enforcing Florida’s gaming laws and combatting illegal gambling activities. 

Concerns about illegal gambling activities or facilities in Florida are valuable and can be reported online at FLGaming.gov/File-a-Report, by email at Contact@FLGaming.gov, or by phone at 850-880-3433.