Florida Advances Broad Gambling Legislation to House Floor

Florida lawmakers are moving forward with comprehensive legislation aimed at tightening the state’s gambling regulations. HB 189, sponsored by Fort Pierce Republican Rep. Dana Trabulsy, recently passed the House Commerce Committee with an 18-5 vote, marking the third committee approval and setting the stage for a full House vote. The session ends March 13, though a floor vote has not yet been scheduled.

Key Measures and Penalties

The bill expands criminal penalties for illegal gambling, elevating certain offenses to third-degree felonies. Operators conducting unlicensed internet gambling, sweepstakes casinos, or sports betting outside approved frameworks would face fines up to $5,000 and prison sentences up to five years. Individuals participating in illegal platforms could face misdemeanor charges: first offenses carry up to 60 days in jail or $500 fines, while repeated offenses may result in up to a year in prison and fines of $1,000.

HB 189 also strengthens oversight of the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC), clarifies ethics requirements, and imposes stricter licensing and ownership disclosure standards. It introduces new criminal offenses, limits commission members’ post-employment options in gambling-related roles, and removes ownership thresholds for pari-mutuel permit transfers. Fantasy sports contests remain legal, but operators must comply with peer-to-peer rules rather than against-the-house formats.

Trabulsy emphasized the importance of aligning enforcement with the state’s 2021 compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, which grants the tribe exclusive casino and sports betting rights. “The Seminole Tribe paid the state of Florida, over the course of five years, $2.5 billion,” she said. “And when we have illegal activity happening where taxes are not being paid to the state, it’s just an unfair playing field, and it’s unintended.”

Targeting Online Gambling and Sweepstakes Casinos

The legislation specifically addresses sweepstakes casinos and online operators simulating slot machines, video poker, and table games accessible via mobile devices. The FGCC would gain authority to review new gaming locations, confiscate illegal machines, and pursue felony charges against unlicensed operators. Last year, the commission seized nearly $15 million from illegal gambling activities and removed 6,725 slot machines from game centers.

HB 189 defines internet gambling broadly, including any game awarding money or value by chance online. Users and operators of unlicensed platforms would face criminal and financial consequences, aiming to curb growing illegal activity while protecting state revenue.

Legislative Context and Seminole Tribe Considerations

This bill forms part of a broader legislative effort to regulate online gaming in Florida. Companion measures include House Bill 953 and Senate Bill 1404, introduced in late February, targeting sweepstakes casinos and internet sports wagering beyond the Seminole compact. The 2021 agreement guarantees at least $500 million annually to the state and allows Hard Rock to offer mobile sports betting, which began in December 2023. The legislation seeks to preserve these agreements while closing gaps that enable unregulated operations.

HB 189 has already cleared two subcommittees in November and January and reflects growing support for stricter gambling laws to protect state revenue, improve oversight, and prevent illegal operations from proliferating.

Source:

“Florida Committee Advances Comprehensive Gambling Bill To House Floor”, yahoo.com, February 10, 2026