Key Takeaways
- Attorney General James Uthmeier sent formal cease-and-desist notices to three major credit card companies for facilitating transactions with unlicensed gambling platforms
- Visa must provide written documentation by June 24 proving it has terminated services to offshore betting operators
- The state threatens to pursue racketeering charges against payment networks that continue enabling illegal gambling activities
- Law enforcement has arrested 81 individuals and confiscated more than 3,100 unauthorized gaming devices since January 2026
- The Seminole Tribe’s Hard Rock Bet remains Florida’s sole authorized sports betting platform under state regulations
Florida’s top law enforcement official, Attorney General James Uthmeier, has taken direct action against three of the world’s largest payment processing companies, issuing formal legal warnings for their role in facilitating transactions for unauthorized gambling operations.
During a June 10, 2026 news briefing, Uthmeier revealed that official notices had been dispatched to Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. The AG made clear that continued involvement in processing payments for illegal betting sites could result in criminal prosecution under the state’s racketeering statutes.
Specific Demands Issued to Visa
Visa received particularly pointed correspondence from the Attorney General’s enforcement division. The communication specifically identifies multiple offshore betting platforms — including SportsBetting, BetNow, BetOnline, Lucky Rebel, BetUS, XBet, and Bovada — which allegedly rely on Visa’s infrastructure for financial transactions.
According to the official notice, Visa’s continued facilitation of deposit and withdrawal transactions for these online operators constitutes a violation of state statutes. The company has been given a June 24 deadline to submit a comprehensive written response outlining remedial actions taken.
Speaking directly to reporters, Uthmeier issued an unambiguous warning: “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 Enforcement Escalates
The pressure on payment processors represents just one component of an expanding enforcement campaign throughout Florida.
State authorities recently concluded a coordinated operation spanning Lee and Collier counties. Law enforcement officials made 11 arrests, confiscated 479 illegal gaming terminals, and recovered approximately $294,150 in cash believed to be proceeds from unlawful gambling activities.
The coordinated effort brought together resources from the Florida Gaming Control Commission, the Office of Statewide Prosecution, and county-level law enforcement agencies.
Statistics from the beginning of 2026 reveal the scale of Florida’s enforcement push: authorities have removed more than 3,100 illegal gaming machines from circulation, seized roughly $1.7 million in suspected illegal revenue, and taken 81 individuals into custody on gambling-related charges.
Officials emphasize that the campaign aims to safeguard the Seminole Tribe’s exclusive gambling rights established through its state compact. Under current regulations, Hard Rock Bet stands as the sole legally sanctioned sports betting platform authorized to serve Florida residents.
The Attorney General indicated that enforcement actions will continue targeting both brick-and-mortar gambling establishments and digital platforms operating without proper authorization.
Florida’s strategy has evolved to address the financial systems that enable unauthorized gambling websites to function. By confronting payment processing networks directly, state officials aim to eliminate the monetary channels that allow offshore operators to continue accepting wagers from Florida customers.
As of this publication, none of the three credit card companies named in the cease-and-desist letters have issued public statements regarding the Attorney General’s demands.
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