Florida's Undercover Gambling Sting Nets 28 Arrests, Gathers over $100,000 in Assets

Secret law enforcement operation in Florida led to 28 arrests, confiscation of $100,971, various firearms, and 48 gambling devices in a crackdown on illicit gambling activities.

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2025 September 16 . 4:04 AM

2 min read

Uncovering Illegal Gambling Activities in Florida Results in 28 Arrests and Recovery of $100,000

Florida's Undercover Gambling Sting Nets 28 Arrests, Gathers over $100,000 in Assets

Undercover Detectives in Florida Carry Out Major Gambling Sting in Polk County

In a significant operation, undercover detectives in Florida, along with the Polk County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Gaming Control Commission, conducted a sting on illegal gambling activities. The operation, named Operation Bad Odds, was initiated following a tip about illegal machines at A-1 Discount Beverage in Auburndale.

The sting resulted in the seizure of $100,971, 48 gambling machines, and firearms from 12 stores across the county. Detectives found the machines "in the back rooms" of A-1 Discount Beverage, where they had been winning money for undercover cops prior to the raids.

Sheriff Judd, in a statement, warned that providing illegal gambling machines carries a risk of going to jail. He also cautioned Floridians who gamble on these machines, stating that they too are at risk of facing legal consequences.

Five men among those arrested were in the US illegally, but Sheriff Judd did not mention this fact in his statement. He also did not specify the number of arrests made or the exact amount of seized funds and firearms in his initial statement.

The Florida Gaming Control Commission assisted the Polk County Sheriff's Office in the operation, but Sheriff Judd did not mention their involvement in his statement. He did, however, emphasise that the confiscated gambling machines are not programmed for fair play.

Sheriff Judd also suggested that stores hosting illegal gambling are at a higher risk of being robbed. He did not mention the seizure of gambling machines from any specific location in his initial statement.

Operation Bad Odds marks a significant step in the fight against illegal gambling activities in Florida. Sheriff Judd urged potential lawbreakers to reconsider their actions, reminding them of the potential risks and consequences associated with such activities.