Three illegal gambling locations were shutdown this month by the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) and several law enforcement agencies in Lake County.
The joint investigative operation named “Calvin Coolidge” focused on the sites that were engaged in illegal gambling in Umatilla and Leesburg. FGCC officials said the investigation was launched after complaints and other research into reported illegal slot machines.
Following the execution of several search warrants, officials seized 231 gambling machines such as slot machines and some $157,000 in illegal gambling funds.
“These enforcement actions demonstrate our commitment to protecting Florida communities and preserving the integrity of the state’s gaming laws,” said FGCC Executive Director Alana Zimmer. “Illegal gambling operations undermine lawful businesses and exploit patrons. FGCC will continue to work proactively with law enforcement partners to shut them down.”
The lead law enforcement agency was the Lake County Sheriff’s Office who teamed up with FGCC investigators and targeted the House of Treasure on State Road 19 in Umatilla. There, investigators seized 56 illegal gambling machines and nearly $76,000 in cash from those machines. Three people were served notices to appear on charges of possession of slot machines and keeping a gambling house.
Two other sites in Leesburg, Hot Seats on U.S. 27, and The Hub on West Main Street, yielded more evidence. Investigators seized 77 illegal gambling machines at Hot Seats and $35,621 in suspected gambling machines. Two people were given notices to appear on the same charges of possession of slot machines and keeping a gambling house.
The Hub yielded more evidence including 98 illegal gambling machines and $46,597 in suspected illegal gaming proceeds. Another two people at The Hub were administered notices to appear on the same charges at the other locations in Lake County.
The FGCC has been stepping up more investigations into illegal gaming establishments in the state since early 2025.
