Jerome García June 9, 2022 2 min read

Florida Gambling Watchdog Urged to Take Action against Gray Slots

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Founded last year in May, the Gaming Control Commission (GCC) in Florida is planned to take over the responsibilities of the Pari-mutuel Wagering Division (PWD) which is a part of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Currently, the PWD is in charge of gambling operators, however, the GCC will take over effective from July 1 this year. Just ahead of the transition, the GCC was urged to take action against the illegal, “gray” gambling machines operating in the state.

Gambling Lobbyist Urges GCC to Take Action against “Gray” Games

The GCC held a meeting this Wednesday. At the meeting, Marc Dunbar, a longtime gambling industry lobbyist, urged the new gambling watchdog to take action, according to a report released by Florida Politics. He pointed out that the gray market industry in Florida brought shootings, organized crime as well as murder.

“Please communicate your existence to local elected officials and local law enforcement. It’s going to be important as they move forward looking at these kind of operations,”
said Marc Dunbar during the GCC meeting this Wednesday

Dunbar asked the GCC to collaborate with local law enforcement as well as lawmakers and take action against the “gray” slot machines. According to him, one of the reasons why no action was taken against “gray” slot machines was because the PWD didn’t have the relevant authority. But considering the planned changes, this situation may turn rather quickly.

Plenty of Legal Gambling Activities Are Available

Chuck Drago, GCC’s commissioner, outlined that joining forces with law enforcement and starting a sweep for “gray” slot machines may prove to be challenging. He explained that the challenge is the result of law enforcement agencies not being familiar with “gray” market slot machines.

Currently, Florida offers plenty of legal gambling entertainment for its residents such as online casino and poker, as well as land-based casinos. With that in mind, slot machines are currently limited to pari-mutuels and Tribal casinos within Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The regulations are so strict that it is illegal to own a slot machine or even own parts of a slot machine elsewhere in the state.

Besides casinos, Florida is also on its way to opening its sports betting market. While the state has legalized the activity, lawmakers are yet to make the final step and approve the launch of sports betting.

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Jerome García

Journalist

Jerome is a welcome new addition to the Gambling News team, bringing years of journalistic experience within the iGaming sector. His interest in the industry begun after he graduated from college where he played in regular local poker tournaments which eventually lead to exposure towards the growing popularity of online poker and casino rooms. Jerome now puts all the knowledge he's accrued to fuel his passion for journalism, providing our team with the latest scoops online.

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5 Comments

David Watts
June 10, 2022 at 11:52 pm

Reply

We seniors don’t have a lot of money but we can go to some of these places with $20 or $40 dollars and play for 25 cents and have people to talk to and get out of the house
It takes more money then that to drive to a casino
They are not hurting anyone
Maty
June 11, 2022 at 12:15 am

Reply

So The Indians at the hard rock Have got to you it’s dirty there and you can’t even get anything to drink people like us in our 70s and 80s don’t wanna drive so far to have a little bit of fun I can’t believe that you would even think of doing this kind of sad I can’t believe you’re even thinking of this good people like good fun with their friends even though we play games we’re not doing anything wrong someone needs to think about this for real
Samantha
July 3, 2022 at 5:49 am

Reply

Maybe they should be more concerned with the Indians ruining ppls lives. They are robbing ppl with machines they can control ppl loose millions there and then can’t even get a free meal or drink. They turn off jackpots.
T
September 5, 2022 at 9:02 pm

Reply

No they are not regulated like one woman won a jackpot 250000 in malfunction but because they are regulated she got the money places like st Augustine lucky louies is rigged controlled I worked in one I chould see what you win and bonus
Tony
September 6, 2022 at 1:44 pm

Reply

St Augustine lucky louies is rigged and real casinos have random number generators and it has a commission where this one lady hit $250,000 getting malfunction didn’t tell her and that commission found it and gave it to her