Last Thursday, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) shared the outcome of a covert investigation dubbed “Operation Bad Odds”, which led to the arrest of 28 individuals and the seizure of 48 unauthorized gambling devices.
The investigation was sparked by a tip about illicit gaming machines at two Auburndale businesses, A-1 Discount Beverage and Discount & Deli, located on Pilaklakaha Avenue. Undercover officers visited both establishments and discovered the machines hidden in back rooms. They placed bets and received winnings, which were discreetly handed over in bankers’ bags by store employees.
Authorities expanded their probe to identify additional locations involved in illegal gambling across the county. Search warrants were executed at 11 businesses, with a 12th site uncovered during the operation. In total, law enforcement confiscated:
- 48 gambling machines
- 2 drink coolers
- 2 firearms
- $100,971 in cash
Five of the individuals who were arrested had been residing in the U.S. unlawfully.
Charges Filed
The suspects face multiple charges, including:
- Operating an illegal gambling establishment
- Possession of slot machines
- Illegally distributing lottery proceeds
Florida gambling laws explicitly prohibit anyone from operating a gambling site outside of tribal lands. Since there are no commercial or online casino laws in the state, residents are limited to tribal casinos or offshore sites that accept FL players.
Sheriff’s Statement
Sheriff Grady Judd emphasized the deceptive nature of the machines, stating, “People who gamble on machines like the ones we confiscated are being ripped off. These machines are not programmed for fair play.” He also warned that businesses involved in such operations are more vulnerable to theft due to the large amounts of cash they keep on hand. “It’s a safe bet that you’re going to jail if you illegally gamble or provide the machines to enable those to gamble illegally,” Judd added.
Can I Get Arrested For Gambling Online In Florida?
There are no reported instances of any players getting arrested for gambling online in the state of Florida. Both state and federal gambling laws only address the operators and do not criminalize the act from the players’ perspective. While technically not legal, mobile casino apps and other desktop sites have been accepting players from the Sunshine State since the early 2000s.
However, if you do decide to wager online, it is essential to ensure the site you use is licensed by a reputable gaming regulator. Popular sites like Bovada and BetOnline are certified by respected gaming commissions and regularly undergo compliance checks, during which regulators test the fairness of the games and ensure that security protocols are functioning correctly.