Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has directed cease-and-desist notices to major payment processors, escalating the state’s push against offshore gambling networks. He said: “Payment processors such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express undermine Florida law by facilitating transactions for foreign-owned illegal online gaming.”
The move expands enforcement beyond gambling operators to financial intermediaries allegedly supporting unlicensed gaming activity. Officials argue these payment systems enable offshore sportsbooks and casinos to move funds into and out of Florida-linked accounts.
Cease-And-Desist Letters Expand Enforcement Focus
Uthmeier confirmed letters were sent to Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, stating the companies may be involved in processing payments tied to illegal gambling networks.
In correspondence to Visa, state officials wrote: “Overseas bookmakers and casinos rely on payment networks such as yours to facilitate customer deposits, withdrawals, and other transactions. We have reason to believe your company services multiple illegal online gambling enterprises, including but not limited to SportsBetting, BetNow, BetOnline, Lucky Rebel, BetUS, XBet, and Bovada.
“These unlicensed, offshore gambling operators undermine our state’s regulatory structure, divert revenue away from authorized channels, and harm consumers in Florida. Visa’s continued facilitation of payments for the black-market gambling industry violates Florida law.”
The letter requires Visa to outline corrective steps by June 24. Officials warned that failure to respond could lead to legal action. Uthmeier also said, “We’re going to be using a lot of tools and using new ways to shut down these sites,” adding, “… If you’re a payment processor and you’re helping one of those sites, you are breaking the law. Cease and desist immediately, or we will take any law enforcement action necessary to hold you accountable.”
Statewide Crackdown And Enforcement Outcomes
Florida agencies tied the payments probe to a wider crackdown on illegal gambling activity. Since the beginning of 2026, authorities have seized 3,114 illegal machines and about $1.7 million in proceeds, alongside 81 arrests.
A separate operation in Lee and Collier counties resulted in 479 machines seized, $294,150 recovered, and 11 arrests following coordinated enforcement action.
“If you think you’re going to get away with this and make millions, I would not bet on it,” Uthmeier said, adding that the state has seized more than 3100 slot machines this year. “We connect these illegal operations with illicit money laundering, embezzlement, trafficking, large scale drug scales, retail theft, you name it.”
Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said illegal gambling sites lack safeguards, stating: “These illegal and unregulated gambling businesses and machines provide zero consumer protections, no guarantee of fair play, and no recourse if an operator simply disappears with their money. Unregulated machines take advantage of customers. Make no mistake–these are not harmless establishments.”
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno called the effort a coordinated enforcement push, while Florida Gaming Control Commission Chair Julie Brown said a new Southwest Florida unit will expand future investigations.
Officials also highlighted Florida’s legal gambling framework tied to the Seminole Tribe compact, which supports state revenue sharing and defines authorized gaming activity.
Source:
“Payment processors such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express…”, x.com “Attorney General James Uthmeier”, Jun 10, 2026
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