Florida law enforcement seizes 231 illegal slot machines in Lake County gambling raids
Florida law enforcement executed coordinated raids in Lake County, seizing 231 illegal slot machines and over $150,000 in cash.
Lake County, Florida, law enforcement carried out a multi-agency operation that resulted in the seizure of 231 illegal gambling machines and more than $150,000 in cash from three suspected illegal gaming locations, officials confirmed this week.
The raids were conducted in Leesburg and Umatilla following resident complaints and an ongoing investigation into unlicensed gambling activity.
Details of the Raids and Seizures
On January 8, detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, local police departments, and agents from the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) executed search warrants at three suspected gambling houses as part of an operation known internally as Calvin Coolidge.
The raids targeted:
- House of Treasures in Umatilla: Authorities seized 56 slot machines and gambling machines and $75,619 in cash. Three employees received notices to appear in court on charges including possession of slot machines and keeping a gambling house.
- The Hub in Leesburg: Officers confiscated 98 machines and $46,597. Multiple notices to appear were issued to employees.
- Hot Seats in Leesburg: 77 machines and $36,621 were taken during the search, with two employees given notices to appear.
In total, law enforcement recovered 231 devices and approximately $158,000 in suspected illegal proceeds. Notices to appear, which carry the same weight as arrests for non-violent offenses, were issued, but no immediate arrests have been announced.
Enforcement and Legal Context
The Florida Gaming Control Commission explained that slot machines are legal only in licensed facilities, such as pari-mutuel venues in Miami-Dade and Broward counties or tribal gaming operations.
Unlicensed gambling, including slot machines and unauthorized gaming halls, is prohibited statewide.
FGCC Executive Director Alana Zimmer said the operation demonstrates a commitment to enforcing gambling laws and “preserving the integrity of the state’s gaming laws.” Authorities warned other operators of illegal gambling facilities that similar enforcement actions will continue.
The raids came after civilian complaints, prompting investigators to develop probable cause for the search warrants. Local police and sheriff’s office units, including detectives from Clermont, Groveland, Eustis, and Leesburg, provided support.
Community and Regulatory Impact
Neighbors reported that some of the businesses appeared to operate openly before the raids, with one resident noting that parking lots were often full.
Florida authorities continue to urge residents to report suspected illegal gambling anonymously through the FGCC’s website.
According to updates from Gambling Insider, this crackdown is part of a broader state effort, with FGCC seizures of illegal machines and cash in 2025 more than double the totals from the prior year.
Proposed legislation in Tallahassee, including bills prefiled for the 2026 session, would expand penalties and enforcement tools against illegal gambling operations.
Connection to Broader Cases
One of the locations, Hot Seats, has been referenced in filings related to a racketeering and illegal gambling caseinvolving a suspended Osceola County sheriff.
That earlier investigation alleged that protection was provided for illegal slot machine operations in return for kickbacks, though authorities have not yet confirmed a direct connection between those court proceedings and this week’s raids.
Enforcement Ramps Up Against Illegal Gambling
The Lake County raids mark one of the largest recent seizures of unlicensed gambling devices in Florida.
With hundreds of machines taken off the streets and significant cash recovered, local and state authorities are signaling a stepped-up focus on illegal gambling enforcement.
Residents are reminded that playing or hosting illegal gambling machines remains unlawful, and anyone with information on unlicensed operations is encouraged to report it to the Florida Gaming Control Commission. As enforcement continues, similar operations are expected across the state.
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