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Florida Cracks Down on Illegal Casinos to Keep the Market Safe

Florida-Cracks-Down-on-Illegal-Casinos-to-Keep-the-Market-SafeFlorida’s Gaming Control Commission (FGCC), in collaboration with law enforcement agencies in Brevard and Volusia counties, has taken decisive action against illegal gambling operations. This crackdown led to the closure of five unauthorized casinos and the seizure of over 500 illegal gambling machines, associated equipment, and more than $845,000 in cash.

The seized assets also included a 2022 Chevy Silverado allegedly used to transport cash from the illegal casinos. Criminal charges are expected to follow as investigations continue.

Locations and Additional Seizures

The illegal casinos, all based in Brevard County, Florida, were located at:

  • 190 Malabar Road, Suite 121, Palm Bay
  • 4940 Stack Boulevard, Suite D1-D2, Melbourne
  • 780 Apollo Boulevard, Melbourne
  • 1882 North Wickham Road, Melbourne
  • 950 North Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island

In a related operation, FGCC agents joined forces with the Port Orange Police Department to address community concerns about two independently owned businesses. These efforts resulted in the seizure of 19 illegal slot and gaming machines and more than $6,000 in cash.

Three individuals were arrested on charges of operating illegal gambling establishments and illegal possession of gaming devices. The targeted businesses were the Stop & Go Convenience Store at 5687 South Ridgewood Avenue and Mark and Jill’s Village Tavern at 5263 South Nova Road in Port Orange.

FGCC Acting Executive Director Ross Marshman emphasized the importance of these efforts, stating, “The cooperative relationships developed between the Florida Gaming Control Commission and our partner law enforcement agencies are essential to fulfill our mission, and these efforts are making an impact. Through innovative strategies, enhanced resources and collaboration, these partnerships reflect our dedication to fostering trust and accountability while effectively addressing public safety concerns related to illicit gambling locations.”

Gambling Laws and Legal Options in Florida

Florida’s gambling regulations allow for limited legal options, primarily centered on operations managed by the Seminole Tribe. In 2021, a 30-year gaming compact granted the tribe exclusive rights to sports betting within the state, allowing bets to be placed at tribal casinos or through the Seminole Tribe’s Hard Rock Bet app. This agreement also enabled the addition of games like craps and roulette at tribal casinos.

Legal gambling in Florida includes:

  • Sports betting through the Seminole Tribe’s casinos or app
  • Pari-mutuel gambling, such as horse racing and jai alai
  • State-run lotteries like Powerball and Mega Millions
  • Charitable games like bingo and raffles
  • Casino gambling on Seminole and Miccosukee tribal lands

Betting among friends, while common, is technically illegal unless it involves penny-ante games with winnings not exceeding $10. For those interested in sports betting, only the Hard Rock Bet app is sanctioned for use within the state. Offshore betting platforms operate in a legal gray area and are not officially recognized.

Source:

“Florida gaming regulators, law enforcement shut down illegal casinos”, cdcgaming.com, December 11, 2024.

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Polymarket Faces Regulatory Block in France Over Illegal Gambling Concerns

French-regulator-blocks-crypto-predictions-operator-PolymarketFrance’s gambling regulator, l’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), has imposed a geo-block on Polymarket.com, a crypto-based prediction market platform, over allegations of illegal gambling. The platform, operated by Web3 developer Adventure One QSS and licensed in Panama, has been restricted from serving users in France since November 21, 2024.

Illegal Games of Chance in Focus

ANJ monitored Polymarket throughout November, identifying concerns over its offerings, including online games of chance such as slots, which remain prohibited under French law. These activities prompted ANJ to contact Adventure One QSS, leading to the implementation of geoblocking measures to restrict access for French users.

French residents attempting to access Polymarket now encounter a pop-up message explaining the restriction. Despite this, reports indicate that users have managed to bypass the block by using virtual private networks (VPNs), raising concerns about the effectiveness of such measures.

In addition to gambling violations, Polymarket’s prediction markets—where users trade shares on event outcomes—have drawn scrutiny for potential insider trading. A particularly notable case involved a French trader, known as “Theo,” who allegedly placed bets between $28 million and $40 million on Donald Trump winning the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The volume of these bets sparked fears of market manipulation and heightened regulatory focus on the platform.

Broader Issues with Polymarket

Polymarket has faced similar legal challenges outside France. In 2022, the platform was fined $1.4 million by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for operating without proper registration. Trading was temporarily halted following the penalty.

As of now, the ANJ has added Polymarket to its growing blacklist of over 944 URLs that violate French gambling laws. The regulator warns users about the risks of playing on unlicensed platforms, including potential identity theft, fraud, and non-payment of winnings.

“In general, the ANJ would like to warn people who play on illegal sites because they are exposing themselves to particularly serious risks,” the regulator said in a statement. It also advises players to consult its official list of licensed operators to ensure they are gambling legally.

Future of Online Slots in France

The Polymarket case arises at a time when France is reevaluating its stance on online gambling. In October 2024, the French government proposed an amendment to its 2025 budget, aiming to legalize online casino games, including slots. This move, supported by Budget Minister Laurent Saint-Martin, is set to undergo a six-month consultation in 2025.

While new legislation may take years to materialize, the consultation could pave the way for regulated online slots to launch by 2026. For now, ANJ remains firm in its enforcement of existing gambling laws, as demonstrated by its actions against Polymarket.

Challenges for Crypto-Based Platforms

Polymarket’s case highlights the difficulties crypto-based prediction platforms face in navigating regulatory landscapes. These platforms operate at the intersection of gambling, blockchain, and financial markets, often attracting scrutiny from multiple jurisdictions.

As Polymarket works to address compliance concerns in France, the broader question of how regulators manage crypto prediction markets remains unresolved. The platform’s ongoing engagement with stakeholders and adjustments to its offerings may shape its ability to operate within legal frameworks moving forward.

Source:

“French regulator blocks crypto operator Polymarket“, igamingbusiness.com, December 2, 2024.

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Macau’s New Illegal Gaming Law Comes Into Effect

Macaus-Illegal-Gaming-Law-comes-into-effect-on-Tuesday-after-being-officially-announcedMacau’s newly enacted Illegal Gaming Law has officially come into effect as of October 29, 2024, following its announcement in the Official Gazette. The law, which passed its final vote in the Macau Legislative Assembly on October 16 and was signed by the President of the Assembly, Kou Hoi In, marks a robust shift in Macau’s approach to tackling illegal gambling. The comprehensive legislation introduces strict penalties for various illicit practices, including “betting under the table” and unauthorized money exchanges, expanding the range of investigatory powers available to law enforcement agencies.

Strict Penalties for Side Betting and Unauthorized Currency Exchange

One of the law’s main provisions targets “betting under the table,” also known as side betting, a practice prevalent in Macau’s casino industry. This provision introduces penalties of up to eight years imprisonment for those found participating in or facilitating these activities. Additionally, the law extends to individuals who engage in any form of illegal gambling, with penalties of up to six months in prison for merely placing a wager in an unlicensed game.

The legislation also cracks down on illegal currency exchange operations within Macau’s integrated resorts, which include casinos and their surrounding areas. Often associated with “money exchange gangs,” these unauthorized exchanges have posed challenges for Macau’s regulatory environment. Individuals caught conducting unlicensed foreign exchange transactions for gambling purposes can now face up to five years in prison, a measure intended to disrupt the money exchange networks that have often exploited Macau’s gaming sector.

Enhanced Investigative Authority for Law Enforcement

Under the new law, Macau’s Judiciary Police will have expanded investigative tools to enforce gambling regulations more effectively. Law enforcement officers are now authorized to conduct undercover operations and perform night-time searches when investigating illegal gambling activities. These undercover operations allow agents to act without fear of prosecution for actions taken within the scope of their investigations, provided they do not incite criminal acts. However, informants’ identities will remain protected unless a court determines that their testimony was intentionally misleading, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the evidence gathered.

Furthermore, the law lifts the previous restriction on night-time domicile searches for suspected offenses related to illegal gambling, allowing authorities to conduct such searches between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. for cases involving illicit betting and mutual betting. This amendment acknowledges the nocturnal nature of gambling crimes in Macau, enabling a more responsive approach to enforcement during peak times for such activities.

Addressing Emerging Forms of Illegal Gambling

Macau’s new legal framework not only strengthens penalties for traditional forms of illicit gambling but also criminalizes online gambling, illegal mutual betting, and unlicensed lotteries. The inclusion of a provision against “illegal online gambling” reflects the government’s determination to keep all gambling activities strictly regulated and confined to licensed establishments. The law categorizes online gambling as any game of chance or mutual betting conducted remotely or electronically, thus ensuring that the prohibition encompasses all digital platforms, regardless of physical location.

Additionally, the law defines penalties for the unauthorized operation of mutual betting pools and lotteries, imposing fines or prison terms of up to three years for those found operating illegal lotteries. This includes the illegal sale of lottery tickets like Hong Kong’s Mark Six lottery, which has historically been popular in Macau.

Corporate Liability and Implications for Casino Operators

Significantly, the legislation expands accountability beyond individuals to corporations and other legal entities engaged in illegal gambling activities. Companies that are facilitating unlicensed gambling can now face fines of up to MOP 18 million (approximately $2.25 million) and, in some cases, judicial dissolution. The law also permits authorities to hold company representatives, such as directors and managers, personally responsible for fines imposed on their businesses if they are proven to have participated in the offense.

As Macau seeks to uphold a tightly regulated gaming industry, implementing the Illegal Gaming Law represents a milestone in the region’s efforts to combat unauthorized gambling. The measures are part of a broader crackdown following high-profile cases involving junket operators such as Alvin Chau and Levo Chan, who were implicated in illicit betting activities. By expanding enforcement powers and tightening penalties, Macau’s government aims to curb illegal gambling operations and protect the integrity of its casino sector.

Sources:

Macau’s Illegal Gaming Law Comes Into Effect on Tuesday after Being Officially Announced, asgam.com, October 29, 2024.

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Illegal Texas Horse Racetrack Raided, Drugs, Gambling Devices Seized

Authorities in West Texas raided an illegal quarter-horse racetrack and arrested nine people for offenses including promoting gambling, money laundering, racketeering, and the manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance.

Carril Mochomos, racetrack, Levelland, Hockley County, Texas, bush racing
Footage taken from Carril Mochomos’ Facebook page, above, shows that it was a slick operation, with professionally produced highlights of races. (Image: Facebook/Carril Mochomos)

Police uncovered 135 grams of cocaine and numerous illegal gambling devices at the track, known as Carril Mochomos, near the city of Levelland, west of Lubbock, Texas.

The raid came after an investigation by animal rights group PETA into the clandestine world of unlicensed horse racing.

The organization said it identified as many as 50 illegal “bush tracks” across Texas, where a lack of regulatory oversight means that the drugging and abuse of horses is rife. PETA estimates that there are more than 150 such tracks throughout the US.

Advertising Openly

Carril Mochomos openly advertised its events on social media and produced professional quality videos of racing highlights, complete with informational graphics.

A September 13 post on its Facebook page written in Spanish advertises the track’s third anniversary, inviting visitors to bring their own beer while offering free candy and a bounce castle for the kids.

PETA said in a statement Monday that it had handed information about Carril Mochomos’ operations to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), which coordinated the raid with the Texas Racing Commission and multiple law enforcement agencies.

PETA’s investigation also uncovered illegal racetracks in Georgia, which led to animal cruelty charges against six jockeys and a felony commercial gambling charge against an on-track bookmaker. Five of the jockeys who face charges in Georgia also race at licensed racetracks across the US.

Drugged, Whipped, Electroshocked

At the Rancho El Centenario bush track in Georgia, the animal rights organization claimed to witness trainers openly injecting horses with stimulants to make them run faster.

On six different visits to the track, PETA investigators collected 27 discarded syringes, which lab tests later revealed contained cocaine, methamphetamine, methylphenidate (Ritalin), and caffeine, sometimes in combination.

While racegoers would wager hundreds of thousands of dollars, trainers and jockeys would “drug, whip, and electroshock horses to try to win at any cost, the organization said.”

Jockeys whipped horses relentlessly — often over 20 times in a row — and other team members even struck the horses from behind as the starting gates opened,” according to PETA. “Jockeys and handlers also whipped and hit horses before races, during loading, and in the starting gates, as punishment and/or to control fractious behavior in the drugged-up horses.”

The PETA investigation in Georgia prompted the California Racing Board to ban its licensees, including jockeys, trainers, and owners, from participating in bush track racing. It’s the first state racing agency to do so.

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New Alabama Bill Targets Illegal Gambling with Harsher Penalties

Bill-would-increase-penalties-for-illegal-gambling-in-Alabama-possession-of-slot-machinesAlabama lawmakers are taking steps to strengthen their stance against illegal gambling through a new bill that proposes harsher penalties for those found in violation. The bill, introduced by Republican State Representative Matthew Hammett, seeks to address persistent issues with illegal gambling operations by upgrading penalties from misdemeanors to felonies. These changes are aimed at deterring repeat offenders and curbing illegal activities that have continued to thrive despite current laws.

Proposed Changes in Penalties

Under the current system, those involved in illegal gambling face misdemeanor charges, which come with a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a fine of up to $6,000. However, Rep. Hammett’s bill proposes to elevate these offenses to felony-level crimes. Specifically, promoting gambling would be reclassified as a Class C felony, carrying a possible sentence of one to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000. For repeat offenders, the situation becomes even more severe, with a second violation resulting in a Class B felony, which could lead to a prison sentence of up to 20 years and a fine of $30,000.

Hammett collaborated with Covington County District Attorney Walt Merrell in drafting this legislation. The need for stronger enforcement became apparent after Merrell observed that existing laws were not effective in stopping illegal gambling activities, such as the sale of scratch-off tickets in convenience stores. “I asked him what could be done,” Hammett said, and they worked together on crafting a proposal that would give law enforcement more power to address these problems.

Persistent Illegal Gambling Issues

Illegal gambling has long been a challenge for Alabama authorities. Despite ongoing efforts to shut down these operations, many venues continue to operate. Jefferson County, in particular, has seen electronic gambling halls reopen after being shut down, showing the limitations of current enforcement. Attorney General Steve Marshall has been actively involved in efforts to combat these illegal activities, but the relatively light penalties often allow offenders to return to business soon after facing charges.

Merrell noted that prosecuting illegal gambling cases is particularly challenging because the current laws do not impose harsh enough penalties to deter these activities. In many cases, the individuals running the operations are not the ones being prosecuted, and instead, it is low-level employees, such as store clerks, who end up facing legal action. “How do we hold store employees accountable when the real beneficiaries are those behind the scenes profiting from these illegal activities?” Merrell questioned, emphasizing that the bill seeks to target those truly responsible.

Clarifying Legal and Illegal Gambling

The proposed bill also aims to clarify what constitutes illegal gambling in Alabama, specifically addressing electronic gambling machines like those used in historical horse racing. These machines are currently in use at racetracks across the state, operating under laws that permit pari-mutuel wagering. Hammett emphasized that his bill is not intended to target racetracks or any legal gambling operations, explaining, “Our focus is on illegal activities, not operations that are running legally at tracks.”

Despite Hammett’s push for tougher enforcement, he has expressed personal opposition to gambling in any form. Merrell also voiced his disapproval, citing the negative effects gambling can have on communities. “Both legal and illegal forms of gambling increase poverty, drive up crime rates, and hurt local economies,” he said.

Hammett has pre-filed the bill, HB41, for the upcoming legislative session beginning on February 5, 2025. The legislation is designed to provide law enforcement and prosecutors with stronger tools to combat illegal gambling activities in the state. Discussions are expected to continue as lawmakers weigh the implications of the proposed changes.

Source:

House Bill 41, Alison Legislature.

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