Osceola County Sheriff Marcos R. Lopez has been arrested to facilitate an illegal gaming operation in Florida.
A joint investigation of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) revealed a criminal organization that operated through a company called Fusion Social Club in Kissimmee, Florida. The operation is estimated to have generated $ 21.6 million in illegal funds.
The gaming house worked under the name Eclipse and marketed itself on Tiktok through @Theeclipse4561. The account remains active despite the investigation. The account markets itself as “a casino with a lot, fish tables and computer games with daily promotions”.
Posts include photos of slot machines in the club
Florida casinos are legal through the Seminole tribe, but the state allows slot machine games in selected locations throughout the state. However, licenses are required and the surgery in Kissimmee did not have a valid license.
Lopez facilitated illegal casino
Sherriff Lopez is accused of using his power to protect the organization and also collecting payments from the company’s revenue. He is charged with racketeering and conspiracy for committing racketeering.
“Originally engaged operations for campaign grants and personal payments, Sheriff Lopez played a multifaceted role to expand and protect this illegal company and use their office to protect the company from law enforcement,” said the state lawyer’s office in a statement.
Governor Ron Desantis interrupted Lopez in an executive order and appointed an official in the Florida Highway Patrol to the county’s sheriff. The sheriff had previously violated the state register law when he accidentally published a photo of murdered 13-year-old Madeline Soto in December. He did not appeal for the fee and agreed to pay a fine of $ 250, but is facing much stiffer penalties this time.
“As law enforcement, we are held to higher standards for integrity and character than other professions,” said the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass in a statement. “This case revealed that Lopez offended confidence and integrity expected of him as the duly chosen sheriff in the Osceola County.”
Florida pinches at illegal play
In December 2024, the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) and local authorities closed seven illegal gaming facilities in Volusia and Brevard County and seized over 500 illegal gaming machines and more than $ 845,000 in cash.
In April this year, another ten illegal gaming operations were dismantled over central and southern Florida, and about 100 illegal slot machines and over $ 60,000 in cash were seized.
Legislators have also proposed legislation to handle online games, but a bill that proposed stricter penalties and a ban on competitions failed to proceed earlier this month. As a result, Sweepstake’s casinos continue to work in a gray area in Sunshine State.
Sheriff Lopez is held in prison in Lake County and further arrests are expected in the coming days in relation to the case.
