Florida AG targets credit card companies in anti-gambling push
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has escalated the state’s fight against illegal gambling by targeting some of the world’s largest payment companies. Reportedly, the AG has warned that these companies must stop handling transactions tied to unlicenced gambling platforms.
Florida is no longer focusing only on the gambling websites themselves. State officials are now targeting the payment systems that help those operators move money, arguing that illegal gambling businesses would struggle to reach customers without access to major financial networks.
Speaking on 10 June, Uthmeier said his office had formally warned several major credit card companies to stop processing payments linked to illegal gambling sites. He argued that businesses helping such operators handle deposits and withdrawals could themselves be breaking Florida law.
The Attorney General’s office also raised the prospect of further action, saying payment companies that continue facilitating these transactions could potentially face scrutiny under the state’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations (RICO) laws, which are typically associated with organised crime cases.
Visa and Amex warned
Uthmeier later reinforced the message on social media, specifically naming Visa, Mastercard and American Express among the companies targeted by the state.
“Payment processors such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express undermine Florida law by facilitating transactions for foreign-owned illegal online gaming,” he wrote. “Today, they’re receiving a cease and desist.”
Particular attention was directed at Visa, which received a separate letter demanding that it stop processing payments connected to a number of offshore gambling operators. The Attorney General’s office identified several companies, including SportsBetting, BetNow, BetOnline, Lucky Rebel, BetUS, XBet and Bovada. According to the letter, these operators rely on payment networks to facilitate deposits, withdrawals and other financial transactions involving Florida residents.
State officials argue that such platforms operate outside Florida’s legal gambling framework, diverting revenue away from authorised operators while exposing consumers to risks associated with unregulated gambling services. For residents interested in legitimate betting options, top-rated online sportsbooks offer compliant alternatives to these unlicensed platforms.
Florida currently maintains one of the most tightly controlled sports betting markets in the United States. Under the state’s compact with the Seminole Tribe, Hard Rock Bet remains the only authorised sportsbook available to residents.
The latest action suggests that authorities are increasingly willing to pursue not only operators but also businesses that provide services that support the industry.
Written response demanded
Visa has been instructed to provide a written response by 24 June outlining any measures it has taken to prevent unlawful gambling transactions. Uthmeier warned that failure to comply could result in further legal action. The crackdown extends beyond online gambling.
The Attorney General also highlighted the results of a recent enforcement operation across Lee and Collier counties in southwest Florida. The coordinated effort involved the Florida Gaming Control Commission, the Office of Statewide Prosecution and local law enforcement agencies.
Authorities said the operation resulted in 11 arrests, the seizure of 479 illegal gaming machines and the recovery of nearly $294,150 in suspected illicit proceeds.
Officials say those figures form part of a broader statewide campaign. Since the beginning of 2026, Florida authorities have reportedly confiscated more than 3,100 illegal gaming machines, recovered around $1.7 million in suspected gambling proceeds and arrested 81 individuals connected to unlawful gambling activity.
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