SUMTER COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – The State of Florida Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Gladson who was joined by Florida Gaming Control Commission Director Carl Herold announced Sept. 26, 2025, the shutdown of an illegal gambling operation, that had numerous complaints filed against it.

The case was a collaborative effort involving the Florida Gaming Control Commission, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Division of Financial Services, and Attorney General James Uthmeier Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.

The illegal gambling operation exploited vulnerable seniors and was responsible for laundering millions of dollars through fraudulent business activity. An investigation that began this past winter has brought formal charges against three key defendants who were involved in the enterprise, IL Villagio Senior Entertainment Center in Lady Lake.

Undercover agents with the Florida Gaming Control Commission were able to confirm that IL Villagio Senior Entertainment Center was operating an illegal gambling establishment featuring slot-style machines.

On July 15, 2025, a search warrant was executed at the establishment, resulting in the seizure of 190 slot machines and $348,221 in cash, according to the Fifth Judicial Circuit. A second search at a Marion County warehouse uncovered additional machines.

The investigations found that between Jan. 2023 and July 2025, more than $24 million had passed through accounts associated with the gambling establishment.

It was determined through the investigation that better part of the money was funneled through shell companies, wire transfers and overseas accounts. It was revealed that the Chief Executive Officer of the enterprise Rima Ray, 44, St. Augustine, who has reported less than $20,000 of income annually, had nearly $3 million deposited in her personal bank account. She was arrested on July 21, 2025, in St. Johns County on money laundering charges.

Ray has been formally charged with the following counts, racketeering influenced and corrupt organizations, a life felony; three counts of money laundering, a first-degree felony; keeping a gambling house, a third-degree felony and possession of slot machines.

On Sept. 18, 2025, Business Manager Terrance Morgan, 69, Ocala, and Assistant Manager Barbara Buzzard, 67, Summerfield were arrested on the same charges.