Florida gaming regulators and Cape Coral police seized 60 illegal slot machines from a business posing as a bingo hall, in an enforcement action named Operation Going Downtown.
The Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) and the Cape Coral Police Department carried out the action at Uptown Bingo, located at 2708 Santa Barbara Boulevard, Suite 108, in Cape Coral.
FGCC Commissioner Peter Cuderman said the business operated under the appearance of a licensed bingo establishment while running unlawful slot machines.
“Bingo is fun, and the FGCC supports lawful play,” Cuderman said. “Unfortunately, criminals prey on Floridians by using a bingo theme on slot machines and falsely claiming these games are legal. If you have concerns about the legality of a bingo operation, call our tipline at 850-880-3433. Our FGCC agents are here to serve Floridians and protect them from unscrupulous operators.”
“These illegal operations are more than just unauthorized games—they are unlawful businesses that undermine legitimate charitable gaming and can create opportunities for broader criminal activity,” said Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore.
“Our partnership with the Florida Gaming Control Commission allows us to effectively investigate these operations and protect the residents of Cape Coral. We remain committed to enforcing the law and ensuring businesses operate legally and responsibly within our community,” Sizemore added.
What made the machines illegal
Florida law defines any electronic machine or device as a slot machine if it may entitle a player to a prize through skill, chance, or any outcome the player cannot predict. This definition applies to devices that display bingo or instant bingo results using slot-reel depictions or other chance-based graphics.
Labeling a slot machine as “bingo” or “instant bingo” does not exempt it from this classification, according to FGCC.
Floridians 18 or older may legally play bingo, including instant bingo, but only when the game uses paper cards. State law prohibits playing bingo or instant bingo on electronic devices that display games of chance, including slot reels. Only charitable, nonprofit, and veterans’ organizations, along with certain residential communities and groups, may offer traditional bingo in Florida.
Outside this narrow bingo framework, slot machines are lawful only at eight licensed locations in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, plus facilities operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
