LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Dozens of gambling machines and more than $150,000 were seized overnight in Lake County as the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) worked with local authorities to execute search warrants at three illegal gambling houses, according to the sheriff’s office.
Investigations into the locations began upon receipt of civilian complaints, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
Detectives with the sheriff’s office’s Special Investigations Unit joined those from Clermont, Groveland, Eustis and Leesburg in accompanying FGCC agents Thursday night in an operation dubbed “Calvin Coolidge,” reporting the following results from these three locations:
- House of Treasures in Umatilla (Lake County search warrant)
- 56 machines
- $75,619
- Three notices to appear for possession of slot machines and keeping a gambling house (employees)
- The Hub in Leesburg (FGCC search warrant)
- 98 machines
- $46,597
- Three notices to appear for possession of slot machines and keeping a gambling house
- Hotseats in Leesburg (FGCC search warrant)
- 77 machines
- $36,621
- Two notices to appear for possession of slot machines and keeping a gambling house
Gambling machines are permitted only in legal gaming facilities, and legal slot machines are available in eight licensed pari-mutuel facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, as well as at certain facilities operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. It is against the law to offer slot machine gaming or any unauthorized gambling at any unlicensed facility in Florida. A map of authorized locations is available at FLGaming.gov/locations.
The mission of the Florida Gaming Control Commission is to preserve and protect the integrity of gaming activities in Florida through fair regulation, licensing, effective criminal investigation, and enforcement. Any concerns about illegal gambling activities or facilities in Florida can be reported online at FLGaming.gov/File-a-Report, by email at Tipline@FLGaming.gov, or by phone at 850-880-3433.
FGCC: "Florida Gaming Control Commission Shutters Three Illegal Gambling Sites in Lake County" (excerpt)
News 6 in December went to Umatilla after the sheriff’s office said it responded to an armed robbery at another property described as a casino, with this one located along State Road 19.
The property had been raided in 2024 during another operation involving the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and FGCC, raising questions about why it still appeared to be operating when the reported robbery was taking place.
When News 6 asked the sheriff’s office how this could be the case and whether any future action was planned against the location, we were told the agency was working in conjunction with state authorities on the issue and could not provide any more information due to active investigations.
[WATCH: Lake County casino robbery case leaves questions of oversight, licensing]