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SARASOTA, Fla. - (Gambling911.com) - Three alleged illegal gambling establishments in Englewood, Florida are the latest to be hit by gambling raids in the state.
Members of the sheriff’s office Intelligence Unit, TAC Unit and Special Investigations Section assisted the Florida Gaming Control Commission in serving search warrants Tuesday.
The warrants were served simultaneously at three locations in the 0 and 100 blocks of North Indiana Avenue, the sheriff’s office said.
“Illegal gambling operations have no place in our community,” Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman said in a news release. “We will continue to pursue those who violate the law and hold them accountable. Our focus remains on protecting the safety, quality of life, and well-being of everyone who lives, works, and visits Sarasota County.”
This week's raids are the latest in an aggressive campaign to try and shutter alleged illegal gambling operations in the state.
To date, 184 illegal gambling arcades have been shut down in the 12-month period leading up to July 2026, according to figures attributed to the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC). Those enforcement efforts also resulted in 177 arrests.
Among the larger operations targeted:
- 39 locations in Volusia, Brevard, Duval and Flagler counties in February 2026 — 525 machines seized.
- Lee and Collier counties: at least 10 named locations were hit during Operation Sunset Stakes, with 479 machines, $294,150 and 11 arrests.
- Jacksonville: more than 100 machines at 16 locations, with multiple arrests.
- Sarasota/Manatee: multiple raids have continued throughout 2026. Two May operations alone produced 334 machines from several businesses.
- Sarasota again this week: authorities hit three Englewood establishments on September 29 and seized another 164 machines.
The raids also come amid Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier's attempts to snuff out sweepstakes casinos in the state.
Uthmeier sent out letters to various social media platforms this week requesting they provide the AG office with confirmation that they have stopped advertising sites such as Stake and Chumba to Florida residents by October 23.
Meanwhile, Gambling911.com highlighted how, for the second straight day since Uthmeier announced he had sent out that letter to the likes of TikTok and Reddit, the local Fort Myers newspaper, News-Press, continues to promote "best sweepstakes casinos for Florida residents". Hard Rock Bet is the only regulated sports betting app in Florida and the state does not currently regulate online casinos.
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
