Miami Fort Lauderdale, FL, June 10, 2026 —

Florida Authorities Dismantle Illegal Gambling Ring in ‘Operation Sunset Stakes’

Authorities in Florida have successfully dismantled an illegal gambling ring through an initiative dubbed “Operation Sunset Stakes.” The operation, led by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier in collaboration with the Lee and Collier county sheriff’s offices, resulted in significant seizures and arrests.

The operation led to the confiscation of 479 illegal gambling machines and $294,000 in illegal proceeds. Furthermore, 11 individuals were arrested in connection with the gambling ring. In addition to the arrests and seizures, cease-and-desist notices were issued to prominent payment processors, including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. These notices target transactions linked to illegal online gambling sites such as Bovada, BetNow, and BetOnline.

The coordinated effort highlights a broader crackdown on illicit gambling operations within the state. The issuance of notices to payment processors indicates a strategy to disrupt the financial infrastructure supporting these illegal activities.

Story summarized from the original created by Drew Dixon on floridapolitics.com, see more information here.

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