Florida Woman Behind $24M Florida Illegal Gambling Op Seeks to Gut RICO Case

The owner of a Florida slots parlor accused of operating a $24 million illegal gambling enterprise is asking a judge to throw out the most serious charges against her, arguing prosecutors have dressed up a relatively straightforward gambling case as organized crime. Il Villagio owner Rima Ray, whose attorneys argue prosecutors improperly turned an illegal gambling case into a RICO prosecution. (Image: St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office) Rima Ray, 45, owner of the Il Villagio Senior Entertainment Center in Lady Lake, Fla., has filed a 32-page motion seeking dismissal of a racketeering charge and three money-laundering counts. Florida authorities raided Il Villagio in July 2025 following an undercover investigation, seizing around 190 alleged illegal slot machines. Another 80 machines were discovered at a warehouse, according to prosecutors. Authorities allege more than $24 million flowed through bank accounts connected to the operation between January 2023 and July 2025. They have previously claimed money was moved through shell companies, wire transfers, and overseas accounts, while nearly $3 million was transferred into Ray’s personal account. But Ray’s attorneys contend those allegations do not amount to a violation of Florida’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act. ‘Garden Variety’ Gambling Case The defense argues prosecutors have failed to establish a pattern of racketeering involving separate criminal incidents. Instead, it claims the alleged conduct amounts to one continuing illegal gambling operation. “Stripped of the State’s characterization, this is a garden variety criminal undertaking,” Ray’s attorneys wrote. They note that the lead investigator in the case, Robaldo Ramos, acknowledged during deposition that authorities found no evidence of drugs, prostitution, back-room poker games, or other criminal activity at Il Villagio, a slots parlor mainly used by senior citizens. He also confirmed Ray was the business’s sole owner and operator. The defense argues this undermines prosecutors’ characterization of Il Villagio as a sprawling criminal enterprise. Ray’s attorneys also take aim at the money-laundering allegations, questioning whether prosecutors can show she attempted to disguise the source or ownership of gambling proceeds. Asked during his deposition how the money was concealed, Ramos replied: “They were not concealed. They were just deposited into a bank.” Cash, Gold Bar Seized When announcing charges last year, the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office described Il Villagio as an illegal gambling operation that generated millions of dollars, with proceeds allegedly moved through numerous accounts and businesses. Authorities also said Ray was driving a Maserati containing nearly $350,000 in cash and a gold bar when she was apprehended. Investigators previously described cash being transported in shoeboxes and money bags. Ray is not seeking dismissal of all charges but attacking the RICO and money-laundering counts that transform the alleged gambling operation into a much more serious criminal case. Her attorneys argue the laundering charges also depend on prosecutors establishing an underlying felony. If the RICO count is dismissed, the three money-laundering charges should fall with it, they argue. As of September 20, prosecutors had not filed a formal response to the motion. The post Florida Woman Behind $24M Florida Illegal Gambling Op Seeks to Gut RICO Case appeared first on Casino.org.