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State of Play’s TL;DR
- The Florida Gaming Control Commission received the 2026 Regulatory Excellence Award from the International Association of Gaming Regulators.
- The commission shut down 184 illegal gambling arcades in the past year.
- Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said his office will continue pushing for tougher criminal penalties for illegal gambling operators.
The Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) has won international recognition for its work combating illegal gambling, with more than 14,000 illegal slot machines and more than $24 million in illegal gambling proceeds seized, according to The Boca Raton Tribune.
The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) presented the agency with its 2026 Regulatory Excellence Award.
The annual honor recognizes a gambling regulator’s work in gaming policy, regulation, compliance, and enforcement outcomes.
FGCC made 160 arrets over the last year
Alongside the arcade closures, FGCC made 160 arrests in the past year.
Its investigations have also helped combat illegal narcotics, illegal firearms, and dog betting rings associated with criminal gambling operations.
IAGR CEO Kevin Mullally credited the agency’s coordinated enforcement strategy.
“The Florida Gaming Control Commission’s coordinated approach to combating illegal gambling has produced impressive results. Its strategy illustrates the power of collaboration.”
Created in July 2022, FGCC is Florida’s first new statewide law enforcement agency since 1967.
FGCC Chair Julie Brown said the award recognizes the agency’s work and support from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Florida Legislature, and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.
Where Florida permits slot machines
Legal slot machines are available at eight licensed pari-mutuel facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, as well as certain facilities operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Offering slot machine gaming or other unauthorized gambling at an unlicensed Florida facility is illegal.
Uthmeier said his office has worked alongside FGCC to combat illegal gambling and intends to continue seeking stronger penalties:
“We will continue our push for tougher criminal penalties to hold illegal gambling operators accountable, strengthen law enforcement efforts, and send a clear message that Illegal gambling has no place in Florida.”
Based on reporting by The Boca Raton Tribune.
