Florida Targets Payment Giants in Gambling Crackdown

Casino

By lines

June 16, 2026

Florida gambling crackdown reached payment networks on June 10, 2026. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sent cease-and-desist letters to major card companies. The letters named Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, per SBC Americas.

What Florida’s Enforcement Push Changed

Uthmeier argued offshore gambling operators depend on payment networks to move customer money, per ReadWrite. Uthmeier warned that processing those transactions may implicate Florida’s RICO Act, per Florida Politics. Visa General Counsel Julie Rottenberg received the warning letter directly.

Florida enforcement produced concrete numbers in 2026, per GamblingNews. Florida authorities seized 3,114 illegal gaming machines since January 2026. Florida authorities recovered roughly $1.7 million in proceeds during that period. Florida authorities arrested 81 people in the same enforcement window.

Uthmeier’s letter cited an industry estimate of $510 billion in annual illegal online gaming, per ReadWrite. The same letter claimed states lose more than $13.3 billion in yearly tax revenue. Florida framed payment processors as a chokepoint for offshore gambling money.

Florida pressure also reached the sweepstakes casino sector earlier in 2026, per Sweepsy. Uthmeier issued subpoenas to sweepstakes casino operators and met executives. Florida bills HB 591 and HB 189 sought to outlaw dual-currency sweepstakes platforms. Both Florida bills failed when the legislative session ended on March 13, 2026.

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