OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Hidden camera videos obtained exclusively by News 6 show undercover agents infiltrating two Central Florida casinos allegedly tied to suspended Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez.
The recordings offer the first public look at video evidence that could be used against Lopez if his case goes to trial. Lopez has pleaded not guilty to racketeering charges and denies any wrongdoing.
[BELOW: Hidden camera videos show casinos allegedly tied to suspended Sheriff Marcos Lopez]
The video was captured in April 2024 by undercover agents with Homeland Security Investigations, roughly a year before Lopez was arrested. At the time, authorities suspected illegal casinos were operating in Lake and Osceola counties and sent agents in to see for themselves.
One clip shows a team of undercover agents entering a Tavares gaming room called the Jungle Hut.
[Watch the hidden camera footage obtained exclusively by News 6 below]
The video shows rows of what investigators describe as Las Vegas-style slot machines.
Agents can be seen inserting cash into the machines and almost immediately winning money, according to court records. One agent not visible on camera reportedly hit a $400 jackpot.
When an undercover agent was ready to cash out, he reported having to flag down a casino employee to be paid — an interaction captured on the hidden camera audio.
[BELOW: Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez suspended amid federal racketeering charges]
Hours later, another undercover team visited the Eclipse Social Club in Kissimmee. There, agents again reported finding banks of illegal gambling.
Prosecutors say both casinos were owned and operated by Krishna Deokaran, who pleaded guilty last year to money laundering. Deokaran, who will be sentenced on an undetermined date, faces up to five years in prison.
Deokaran and Lopez were business partners, according to prosecutors.
[BELOW: Judge denies motion in suspended Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez’s gambling case]
Deokaran claims he paid Lopez about $700,000 in casino proceeds in exchange for the sheriff using his elected position to shield their gambling operation from law enforcement scrutiny.
Lopez has denied those allegations and maintains his innocence.
A trial date for Lopez has not yet been set. If the case goes before a jury, it is possible prosecutors will show jurors the same undercover recordings obtained by News 6.
[BELOW: Osceola County Sheriff’s Office audit reports no financial misuse after Lopez arrest]