The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 28 people and confiscated dozens of unauthorized gambling machines after a multi-store sting known as Operation Bad Odds. Sheriff Grady Judd led the investigation, which targeted locations across Polk County where machines were hidden in back rooms of convenience stores and small shops.
More than $100,000 in cash was seized alongside the machines, as well as two firearms. Officials say clerks gave cash winnings to undercover officers who played machines that weren’t set up with any official payout rules. The charges include running an illegal gambling spot and using slot-style machines that don’t meet legal standards.
While the focus was on physical gambling machines, it highlights how players continue to look for quick and dependable access to casino-style games. In Florida, those looking to avoid the uncertainty of unlicensed options increasingly turn online…