Henry Mahler III

Do not bet against Florida's law enforcement; you will not win. Great work by our Gaming Enforcement Agents and MCSO.

INSIDER BET BAN: Senate unanimously bars lawmakers from wagering on prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket foxnews.com/politics/senat…

𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐋 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐔𝐍𝐄: 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 When criminals are taking advantage of those who are financially vulnerable, we don’t sit idly by. We take action. Over the course of three days, our officers and detectives visited businesses across the city to search for illegal gambling machines. Alongside the Florida Gaming Control Commission, we found more than 100 of these illegal machines at 16 different locations. Some of these spots are legitimate businesses, like restaurants, bars and gas stations. Locations Hit -Sam’s Discount Food Mart on Arlington Road -Lucky Food Mart on St. Johns Bluff Road -Cliff’s Bar and Grill on Monument Road -Captain Odies on Mayport Road -Shores Pub on Old St. Augustine Road -Monkey’s Uncle on San Jose Boulevard -Tienda Restaurant on Powers Avenue -Sunoco on Moncrief Road -Speedway on US Highway 90 -Bald Eagle Pub on Timuquana Road -Rascal’s pub on Confederate Point Road -Jammes Pub on San Juan Avenue -The Jug Saloon on Lenox Avenue -Greybeards Bar on Commonwealth Avenue -Onyx Nails on Edgewood Avenue West -An illegal game house on Edgewood Avenue North Let us be clear: nobody has permission to operate these illegal machines in our city. Multiple people were arrested for felony charges for their role in these operations. Why do we care? These machines and the criminals who make these machines available prey on those who are vulnerable. They target those on a fixed income or with addiction concerns just to turn a profit. If you operate one of these machines, we will shut you down. If you know of a place where these machines are being operated, let us know by calling 904.630.0500. Business owners, if someone approaches you and wants to install a machine like this in your business, it is your responsibility to ensure it is legal.

This week, we joined @FLGamingControl and @AGJamesUthmeier on a region-wide crackdown on illegal gambling. In Volusia County, detectives hit 7 locations, seizing about $97,000 cash and 225 machines. These machines are unregulated and in some cases, set to be impossible to win. Profits from these illegal enterprises are shipped overseas and connect to money laundering, drug smuggling, human trafficking and other criminal activity. Region-wide, Operation Reel of Fortune targeted 39 locations and resulted in confiscation of about $190,000 and 525 machines. Volusia County locations were: Stop & Save, 1020 S. Nova Road, Ormond Beach Old Papi's Bar, 1376 N. Nova Road, Daytona Beach Old Glenwood Grocery, 2534 N. Spring Garden Ave., DeLand Preview Games, 2411 Enterprise Road, Orange City Sea Drift Sports Bar, 1368 Ocean Shore Blvd., Ormond Beach Buzzard's Roost, 2748 Elkcam Blvd., Deltona Murphy's Bar, 1200 Deltona Blvd., Deltona

Game over. Illegal gambling houses are often connected to more serious offenses including drug and human trafficking, laundering, and other violent crimes. In 2026, we will be cracking down on these illicit establishments and pushing stronger charges.

DON’T BET ON IT: @SheriffIvey isn't playing games with illegal gambling dens that prey on Florida's seniors "In Florida, we will put your ass in jail for anything you do. If you spit on that sidewalk, we're going to lock you up."

DRAIN THE DENS: @VolusiaSheriff Mike Chitwood is calling out the "dens of iniquity" fueling human trafficking and drug smuggling in Florida "If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and swims like a duck—it's a duck. What we're seeing here is illegal gambling..." "My message for Volusia County is for you slum lures that rent these places out for these debt of iniquity to rob from our people, we're going to start naming and shaming you as well."

Our office coordinated with @FLGamingControl and some of Florida's great sheriffs to take down 39 illegal gambling operations in just two days. Law enforcement seized over 525 machines and $190k in illegal proceeds, and this is just the beginning of what you'll see in 2026.

AG James Uthmeier joins law enforcement leaders in Titusville to announce results of two-day illegal gambling crackdown x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

This year, we have taken down several illegal gambling operations totaling millions of dollars. I’ve encouraged the Legislature to raise the penalty for such dangerous operations, often combined with trafficking and laundering, from a misdemeanor to felony. Let’s hold criminals accountable!

Prop betting creates a lot of temptation for players to have a side hustle while not having to throw an entire game. It was clear that the NBA was not alone. Bad incentives.

Today, Executive Director Alana Zimmer begins work managing the Florida Gaming Control Commission. Read more about her appointment here at flgaming.gov/news/

🚨 30+ arrests. 11 states. 1 nationwide takedown. Today the FBI dismantled a multi-million dollar gambling ring tied to La Cosa Nostra, including current & former NBA players and coaches — as well as an inside scheme to rig sports betting outcomes for profit. Cheating, corruption, and laundering have consequences. We followed the money, and the law caught up. Great work @NewYorkFBI and partners.

Florida Gaming Control Commission shuts down illegal gambling spots in Fort Myers fox4now.com/news/local-new…

Illegal arcades prey upon our most vulnerable, offering no consumer protections and operating with the sole intent of taking your hard-earned money.

Charges filed in Sumter County RICO case involving $24 million illegal gambling, attorneys say wftv.com/news/local/sum…

These 28 suspects were arrested for possessing illegal gambling machines or gambling. Five are in the country illegally. There are great odds that you will go to jail if you do that here in #Polk County. News release: tinyurl.com/6f33vrzn News conference: youtu.be/FeFXa5fL0xg

On the 24th anniversary of 9/11, we honor the lives lost, the heroes who emerged, and the resilience of the American spirit. America will never forget.

It's a safe bet that you're going to jail if you illegally gamble or provide the machines to enable those to illegally gamble." Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. fox13news.com/news/grady-jud…

Busted: @CSime90's legislation to increase penalties on illegal gambling advances Reporting by @AndrewPow3ll floridapolitics.com/archives/72817… #FlaPol