Police Raids Shut down 11 Illegal Casinos in Volusia County, Florida

Nearly a dozen illegal gambling establishments across Volusia County, Florida, were recently shut down after a large-scale operation led by law enforcement in collaboration with the gambling regulator in the state, the Florida Gaming Control Commission.

Volusia Sheriff’s Office confirmed in a statement that on Thursday, law enforcement and representatives of the regulator simultaneously executed 11 search warrants against illegal gambling dens. Before the raids, each of the illegal gambling establishments was sent legal notice with a cease-and-desist request from the Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Gaming Control Commission.

During the raids, approximately 400 slot machines were seized and disabled. Moreover, some $403,000 was taken as evidence, while three people were apprehended over their involvement in operating an illegal gambling house. Additionally, one man person was arrested for a parole violation.

Sheriff Mike Chitwood acknowledged the extensive efforts of the Sheriff’s Office and the gambling regulator and thanked them. He also urged Florida lawmakers to take a stance on the matter. Sheriff Chitwood added: “The Legislature needs to make a decision: Either make it legal, and regulate it, or shut it down.”

Louis Trombetta, the executive director of the Florida Gaming Control Commission, also commented on the topic. He reaffirmed that the gambling regulator in the state will continue to effectively collaborate with law enforcement in Florida and combat any illegal gambling activities. Finally, Trombetta said that those efforts are ultimately going to shut down illegal gambling establishments.

“The Gaming Commission will continue to work with our partners in law enforcement to ensure any illegal gaming offerings are shut down.“

Louis Trombetta, executive director at the Florida Gaming Control Commission

The Fight Against Illegal Gambling Continues

As noted, a total of 11 illegal gambling venues were raided Thursday. The list included four locations in DeLand, three venues in Ormond Beach, two venues in Daytona Beach, as well as one in Pierson and Orange City.

The number of seized illegal gambling devices and cash throughout Volusia County continues to grow. According to Volusia Sheriff’s Office, more than $1.1 million in cash and more than 600 slot machines were seized from the recent raid in combination with an operation against unlawful gambling from November 2023.

Law enforcement acknowledged the negative impact of unlawful gambling, revealing that such activities are often associated with other crimes. “These illegal casino locations have seen criminal activity ranging from shootings to armed robberies to fatal drug overdoses to burglaries, thefts, and assaults,” explained the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.

Besides serving as a hot spot for other criminal activities, illegal gambling dens also make money without paying any taxes. In Florida, taxes collected from gambling activities benefit the Florida Education Enhancement Trust Fund.

What’s even more concerning is that fair play isn’t guaranteed at illegal gambling venues, and they often do not have minimum payouts, something that is standard for the regulated sector. This means that the owners of illegal establishments can earn significantly more from the activity, effectively ripping people off with slimmer odds and unfair payouts.