Although Florida lawmakers agreed to extend the legislative session, a pair of bills prohibiting dual-currency sweepstakes casinos and social gaming will no longer be considered. State lawmakers agreed to extend the session through Friday, June 6, only to complete any related budget legislation.
This means Sen. Corey Simon’s (R-3) bill, SB 1404, a piece of legislation that includes a prohibition on sweepstakes gaming in the Sunshine State, and its House counterpart HB 1467, will no longer be considered.
SB 1404 Would Have Increased Penalties For Illegal Gambling Operators
SB 1404 proposed stricter penalties for illegal gambling operators, including making it a third-degree felony to operate or promote wagering on an event knowing the results “are prearranged or predetermined.”
In addition, it would have made “Internet gambling” and “Internet sports wagering” a misdemeanor offense for bettors. The measure calls for “an outstanding declaratory statement” to avoid misleading bettors as well.
The bill’s definition of internet gambling is playing a game “in which money or other thing of value” is won by chance and simulates “casino-style gaming,” such as slot machines and table games.
Simon also told the Florida Senate’s Regulated Industries Committee in March that illegal gambling houses are a growing concern in the era of legalized sports betting.
“Illegal gambling in Florida is a growing crisis,” the state senator said. “Illegal gambling operations are spreading across Florida, exploiting weak penalties to operate with little fear or consequences. Adult arcades with blacked-out windows are multiplying, run by criminal organizations that treat minor fines as the cost of doing business.”
HB 1467 Would Have Impacted Fantasy Sports Contests In Florida
Meanwhile, HB 1467 would have revised provisions concerning the conduct of live racing, prohibited betting on athletic contests with knowledge that results are prearranged or predetermined, and increased criminal penalties for specified offenses.
The measure also included detailed requirements for fantasy sports contests and would have prohibited trafficking in slot machines or devices and the transportation of specified numbers of persons or persons of certain ages for purpose of facilitating illegal gambling.
In fact, the bill mentioned penalties for “an employee, associate, owner, or contractor for any person or entity that conducts or facilitates an activity regulated, enforced, or investigated by the commission, including fantasy sports contests and other betting activities.”
The bills essentially would have banned all non-Seminole forms of online gambling.