CAPE CORA, Fla. — Florida gaming regulators and Cape Coral police recently seized 60 illegal slot machines from a business that authorities said was operating under the guise of a legal bingo establishment.
The Florida Gaming Control Commission said the machines were seized from Uptown Bingo on Santa Barbara Boulevard during an enforcement effort called “Operation Going Downtown.”
The agency is now reminding Floridians that electronic machines displaying bingo results through slot reels or other games of chance are not made legal simply by being labeled “bingo” or “instant bingo.”
“Unfortunately, criminals prey on Floridians by using a bingo theme on slot machines and falsely claiming these games are legal,” FGCC Commissioner Peter Cuderman said.
Under Florida law, people 18 and older may participate in legal bingo and instant bingo games using paper cards. Traditional bingo may only be offered by certain organizations, including qualifying charities, nonprofits, veterans’ organizations and some residential groups.
The FGCC said bingo and instant bingo games played on electronic devices displaying slot reels or other games of chance are prohibited.
Legal slot machines are limited to eight licensed locations in Miami-Dade and Broward counties and facilities operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, according to the commission.
Anyone who suspects an illegal bingo hall, casino or other gambling operation can submit a report online, email Tipline@FLGaming.gov or call 850-880-3433.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2026 Cox Media Group
