Several factors to combat illegal gambling in Florida have been identified and considered in the development of the Enforcement Strategy utilized by the Division of Gaming Enforcement. The Division of Gaming Enforcement is the first statewide law enforcement agency with a primary mandate to enforce all of Florida’s illegal gambling laws. Illegal gambling is not specific to any one area or region of the state of Florida, and illegal gambling can manifest itself in the form of so-called adult arcades, unsanctioned poker games or tournaments, illegal Bingo, illegal lotteries, dog and cock fighting, and illegal (unsanctioned) horse racing, just to name a few. Additionally, the harmful impact of illegal gambling in Florida’s communities is substantial and disproportionately impactful on marginalized populations. Lastly, the attraction of secondary crime to illegal gambling locations and activities diminishes community cohesion and safety, and places increasing demands on law enforcement to react and respond to criminal activity.

The Enforcement Strategy of the Division of Gaming Enforcement has been established based on consideration of the following facts.

• Statutory mandate
• Agency jurisdiction
• Division resources
• Commissioner direction
• Investigatory staffing
• Investigative expertise
• Local law enforcement needs or mutual aid requests; and
• Requests and complaints from the public

1. Significant or Complex Investigations

Are investigations initiated by Division of Gaming Enforcement agents focusing on illegal gambling or illegal gambling criminal organizations operating exclusively within Florida or having significant criminal operations in Florida. Particular attention is directed at illegal gambling operations or organizations that are:

• Operating across multiple jurisdictions, and/or
• Results in a significant number of victims, and/or
• Results in major economic or social impact within Florida, and/or
• Repeated or serious violations of Chapter 849, Florida Statutes, taking place on the property of licensed businesses regulated by the FGCC.

2. Law Enforcement Investigative Partnerships

Combine the requests for illegal gambling investigative support from state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies, with the expertise of Division of Gaming Enforcement special agents in investigating illegal and illicit gambling. These partnerships leverage law enforcement agencies' knowledge of illegal and illicit gambling locations and operations with the experience and background of Division of Gaming Enforcement special agents into a single operational enforcement mechanism. The Division of Gaming Enforcement will also seek partnerships with state agencies (e.g., FDLE, Florida Lottery, Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco, etc.) who share a common enforcement goal. In addition, the Division of Gaming Enforcement may also partner with local law enforcement agencies when there is a reasonable expectation that the investigative needs of the local agency exceed the resources available to them.

• Investigative partnerships serve a variety of benefits in furtherance of the Division of Gaming Enforcement’s purpose statement, such as empowering and educating local law enforcement personnel on the skills needed to conduct illegal gaming investigations and serving as a “force-multiplier” for FGCC personnel as they work toward abating illegal gambling.

3. Outreach

Involves participating in or hosting meetings with law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and other stakeholders about combating illegal gaming alongside the Division of Gaming Enforcement. Outreach provides an opportunity to inform others about FGCC and forge partnerships.

Typical organizations for outreach are:

• Law enforcement agencies (e.g., Local, State, Federal, and Tribal agencies)
• Law enforcement organizations (e.g., Florida Sheriff’s Association, Florida Association of Chiefs of Police, or any county or municipal law enforcement affiliation, etc.)
• Prosecutors across all Florida Judicial Circuits
• Various groups or associations of prosecutors (e.g., Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association).
• Local government groups and associations
• Professional sports integrity groups
• Any other stakeholders or organizations deemed to have a need for outreach.

4. Illegal Gambling Education

Provides information on Florida’s illegal gambling activities and illegal gambling devices. The education is primarily focused on three audiences: law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and county or municipal governments.

For law enforcement officers, Illegal Gambling Education focuses on helping law enforcement build the necessary skills to detect, identify, and investigate illegal gambling operations and the methods for building a successful criminal case. The education further aims to assist law enforcement in parsing out the gambling statutes and recognizing the characteristics and functions of illegal devices in Florida.

For Florida prosecutors, Illegal Gambling Education is aimed at offering a legal understanding of the characteristics of illegal gambling and illegal gambling devices, and how best to present the information in court so that a successful prosecution may be obtained.

For county or municipal agencies with an oversight or licensing function, the training is meant to educate them on the characteristics and operations of illegal gambling operations and devices so they may accurately determine if illegal activity or illegal devices are present. The training also educates them on common methods used to confuse or conceal the true nature of illegal gambling operations or devices from government officials. Furthermore, the training provides crucial information on the social and economic harms caused by illegal gambling in Florida communities.

Additionally, the Division of Gaming Enforcement page on the FGCC website will contain periodically updated educational and reference material for law enforcement officers and others to assist in understanding and enforcing illegal gambling statutes.

5. Special Programs

Are initiatives to which the Division of Gaming Enforcement commits investigative resources because they address a statewide public safety priority and/or require the statewide authority, jurisdiction, or expertise of sworn Division of Gaming Enforcement personnel.