The Florida Senate formally confirmed the full slate of the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC), including the chair and the governor’s new appointees. The vote took place as the commission is stepping up efforts to crack down on illegal betting and shut down underground gambling parlors statewide.
Who is on the revamped commission
Julie Brown was confirmed as chair of the FGCC. Senators also approved the reappointment of John Michael D’Aquila and Tina Repp, who will continue serving on the commission. Governor Ron DeSantis put forward two new nominees: Peter Kuderman and William Spicola. Both were approved by the Senate without objection.
What the FGCC regulates—and where its jurisdiction ends
The commission provides regulatory oversight of gambling and activities related to horse racing and racetracks statewide. Its responsibilities include pari-mutuel wagering, cardrooms, slot machines, and other gambling facilities. The Florida Lottery falls outside the FGCC’s authority and is regulated separately.
Julie Brown’s remarks on priorities and vulnerable Floridians
“I thank Governor DeSantis and the Florida Senate for the opportunity to continue serving as chair of the FGCC,” Julie Brown said after the confirmation.
“Illegal gambling is becoming increasingly predatory toward Florida’s most vulnerable residents, and I am proud of what we have done since the commission was created to combat it,” she emphasized.
Brown also noted that the gambling industry continues to change rapidly; however, the commission’s team has the expertise and is prepared to adapt to new challenges. According to her, the FGCC includes dedicated professionals who can both enforce strict regulation of the legal sector and protect the public from the underground market.
Statewide raids and growing attention to underground gambling
In recent years, the FGCC has carried out a series of large-scale raids and operations targeting illegal gambling sites, widely covered in the press. The effort to combat underground casinos and illegal betting has become a higher-profile issue in Florida, shifting from a local concern to a statewide priority.
Online casinos are also illegal in Florida, and the state is often compared to Australia for the strictness of its gambling restrictions. However, like Australians, Floridians are quite active in playing at offshore-licensed online casinos. Residents of both regions prefer platforms that offer no deposit casino bonuses. This choice is due in part to higher risks—players want to learn more about an online casino before making a deposit.
The Florida Gaming Control Commission can demand that illegal sites cease operations. In 2025, the regulator issued such demands; however, it is currently focusing more on cracking down on illegal land-based casinos.
$14.47 million and thousands of seized machines in 2025
According to an official FGCC press release, in 2025, $14.47 million in funds tied to illegal gambling was seized, and 6,725 illegal gaming machines were seized as well. These figures significantly exceed the comparable numbers for 2024.
The Senate’s confirmation of the full commission comes amid intensified enforcement and expanded operations against illegal gambling schemes in Florida.
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