As the fall draws near, Florida casinos are seeing an uptick in gaming activity through the summer months. Per a recent report, of Florida’s eight non-tribal casinos, a combined net slot revenue mark of $58.3 million was hit last month. This was rising from the previous year’s $54 million, an 8% increase year-over-year. The figures, published by the Florida Gaming Control Commission, show that Magic City Casino yielded the highest revenue of the eight casinos, reporting slot revenue of $12.3 million. This figure was up from $9.6 million reported in July 2024, a 28% increase.
In this article, SBS will be going over the latest gaming news coming from the Sunshine State, along with some additional notes and information you can only find at SBS.
Per the same article, the only other non-tribal casino to report a double-figure revenue from last month was Harrah’s Pompano Beach, which generated $10 million in net slot revenue, up 11.4% compared to the previous year, rising from $9 million. Other casinos to report a year-over-year revenue increase included Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino (2.8%), Big Easy Casino (3.9%), Casino Miami (1.8%), and Casino at Dania (13.2%). Only two casinos reported year-over-year declines in July, Calder Race Course and Hialeah Park Casino.
Also covered in the same article, net slot revenue for Calder Race Course dropped from $7.9 million to $7.8 million, down 0.4% year-over-year. Hialeah Park Casino declined from $8.6 million to $8.3 million, a decrease of 3.6% year-over-year.
In other Florida gaming news, a local outlet said that six Cape Coral gaming arcades were raided in late August during an illegal gambling casino crackdown in Southwest Florida. After a month-long, comprehensive investigation, the Cape Coral Police Department, in collaboration with the Florida Gaming Commission, executed a coordinated operation targeting illegal gambling casinos operating within the city of Cape Coral. This marks one of the first – and largest – operations of its kind in Southwest Florida, department officials reported that afternoon.
According to the CCPD, that morning officers simultaneously served seven search warrants at different locations, including six casinos and one residence. Police officials said these businesses were found to prey upon vulnerable populations, particularly elderly residents struggling with gambling addiction. Police said preliminary analysis revealed that the illegal machines were deliberately calibrated to ensure consistent losses for patrons, further exploiting those at risk. Evidence also indicates these establishments served as havens for other illegal activity, including narcotics trafficking, according to the internal report.
During that day’s coordinated effort, investigators seized over $540,000 in cash and 428 gambling machines. While no arrests have been made at this time, multiple persons of interest have been identified. The investigation remains ongoing and is in the early stages, with additional enforcement efforts expected. The CCPD reported that the operation mobilized upwards of 90 members of the department’s staff, reflecting the size and scope of the effort.
Noted in this space before, illegal gaming activities are nothing new in the Sunshine State. Per another report, internet cafes in the state are now under fire for violating state gambling laws. Indeed, with these outlets serving the community, there is much scrutiny over how much these businesses have oversight over what their patrons are accessing and if they are legal by state gaming laws. As regular readers of this space are aware, each state has its own gaming laws that the public must adhere to, or they will face fines, penalties, or even worse restrictions. Of course, with even more states cracking down on illicit and illegal gaming activities, there is an increased emphasis on making sure these activities are mitigated, even though it is difficult to stop them all at once.
Gambling laws vary by jurisdiction and state, but residents of Florida should be aware of how it is legal to gamble in their state. Additionally, with tribal casinos representing the bulk of Florida gaming activity, it would be wise to note this for future reference, especially as it pertains to the gray areas on the internet and what online gaming represents. This is especially true for states that do not have overarching gaming laws and rules for their citizens to make note of. Additionally, as the articles and reports above note, gaming responsibly is a very important topic even as these casinos see revenue increases during the summer months.
Once you are all up to speed in relation to the latest gambling updates and news coming from Florida, make sure to peruse the excellent array of info for you at SBS. Of course, for even more analysis on the topic in this report, the Florida sports betting guide has your back with all of the latest updates coming from the state and more. Conversely, for those interested and qualified, the BetOnline sportsbook review guide is a must-read page that goes over all of the latest updates from the outlet. If you are a qualified and eligible customer, this is a must-read page to see if the outlet is right for you. Moreover, for those interested in some higher-stakes wagering, the VIP sports betting sites breakdown is a must-read page for VIP wagering, and if it might make sense for you and your lifestyle.
About the Author
Chris Boline is a Reno-based business development professional and freelance sports writer with over a decade of experience covering the NBA G League, Los Angeles Chargers, and national football and basketball. His expertise spans the NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and motorsports, along with topical news, marketing, and promotional content. A proud University of Nevada graduate, Chris earned both his BS in Management & Economics (2015) and MBA (2023). He is active in the Reno community, serving on boards such as the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET, and the College of Business Alumni Association, where he was past president (2022–23). Notable honors include: - Two-time University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year honoree (2017, 2021) - 2021 NCET Professional Services Organization of the Year (with TAC) - 2016–17 Reno Bighorns MVP, awarded by the Sacramento Kings - Nevada Press Association Award for Best Sports Column (2015) - Former Editor-in-Chief of The Nevada Sagebrush Chris blends his passion for sports with a strong background in sales, marketing, and community engagement.
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