Florida Gaming Control Commission Celebrates Four Years of Fighting Illegal Gambling

FGCC highlights enforcement achievements

The Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) is celebrating four years since its establishment in July 2022, marking the occasion by showcasing its efforts to combat illegal gambling and strengthen the regulation of the state's gaming industry.

Since its creation, the agency has seized nearly 11,000 illegal slot machines and confiscated more than USD 23 million in illegal gambling proceeds. During the past year alone, authorities shut down 184 illegal gambling arcades and carried out 177 arrests linked to unlawful gaming operations.

According to the Commission, its investigations have also contributed to dismantling criminal activities involving illegal narcotics, firearms, and dog betting rings connected to illegal gambling networks.

Leadership underscores public safety efforts

FGCC Chair Julie Brown, who helped establish the agency, said the Commission has had an immediate impact on public safety.

Brown noted that the FGCC is the first statewide law enforcement agency created in Florida since 1967, reflecting the increasing threat posed by illegal gambling. She also credited Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for supporting the agency's mission.

The Commission has also expanded cooperation with law enforcement authorities at the local, state, and federal levels. To date, it has signed 44 memoranda of understanding to coordinate investigations and enforcement efforts against illegal gambling and related criminal activity.

Among its partners is the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, whose Sheriff, Wayne Ivey, reaffirmed the county's commitment to pursuing illegal gambling operators through its collaboration with the FGCC.

Regulated gaming generates billions in revenue

Beyond enforcement, the Commission oversees Florida's legal gaming sector through its Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering (PMW), which supervises regulatory compliance for licensed gaming operations.

Over the past four years, the division has collected more than USD 3 billion in revenue from licensed pari-mutuel wagering, cardrooms, slot machine facilities, and revenue-sharing agreements under the gaming compact between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the State of Florida.

According to the Commission, these revenues have supported education and environmental initiatives throughout the state.

Licensing supports the regulated gaming industry

The PMW has also processed nearly 57,000 occupational license applications from individuals and businesses seeking to work in pari-mutuel venues, cardrooms, and slot machine facilities.

The Commission stated that these licensing activities help sustain thousands of jobs while reinforcing transparency, integrity, and accountability across Florida's regulated gaming market.