The ongoing saga of widespread gaming legalization continues to face bumps in the road in the Sunshine State. Florida lawmakers have put forward two bills, SB 1404 and HB 1467, to stop any form of online betting that is not covered by Florida’s contract with the Seminole Tribe, per a recent local report. Additionally, if passed into law, they would restrict online gambling in the state, especially the operation of many sweepstakes casinos and sports betting platforms. However, both bills have been withdrawn from consideration until further notice. The article notes that, under SB 1404, presented by Senator Corey Simon, internet gambling was defined as any casino-style game that was played to either gain money or something that has value outside the game. The bill aimed to ban online casinos that were not under the Seminole Tribe, and this bill posed a threat to many unregulated gambling casinos.
In this report, SBS will be going over what to look for from the latest gaming news coming from the Sunshine State, along with even more notes and info coming from SBS.
Nonetheless, the report notes, many players have been playing their favorite casino games at “Inclave casinos.” Players turn to these casinos because they have bigger game libraries, massive bonuses, and payouts. Also, with Inclave, they do not have to worry about using multiple login details when visiting multiple casino sites. They can simply log in with just one set.
While alternative casinos provide players with multiple choices, SB 104 makes it illegal for them to visit such sites, as it describes online gambling as a third-degree felony. Additionally, the bill would centralize the state’s gaming platform under its contract with the Seminole Tribe, making it difficult for other platforms to thrive. This would remove any possible competition from semi-regulated or unregulated sweepstakes platforms. Moreover, the report notes, the bill passed two Senate committees but was stopped by the Senate Appropriation Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government. The committee has decided to shelve the bill for now, and it can only be reviewed if Governor Ron DeSantis calls for a special session.
Moreover, the report notes, HB 1467 also proposed criminal punishment for those involved in sports betting activities that are not done on the Hard Rock platform. While this bill focused on sports betting, it is part of a bigger plan to close loopholes in the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) regulatory framework.
Per the same article, the bill contains a provision to increase the cooling-off period for former FGCC members before they can partner with sports betting or fantasy sports companies. HB 1467 also brings daily sports fantasy (DFS) under the jurisdiction of the FGCC. Regulations guiding DFS operators are unclear, and most time, DFS operators are not supervised by the state. Henceforth, bringing them under the FGCC, the bill aims to provide a clear regulatory framework for that section of the industry.
Finally, the report notes, the bill had advanced through different committees, including the Budget Committee and the Industries and Professional Activities Subcommittee, but it was stopped at the Commerce Committee after a few amendments were made. This ultimately led to its withdrawal. Although supporters of both bills argue that HB 1467 and SB 1404 would protect consumers, critics argue that they could limit consumer choice and competition. The Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA) has also commended the development, stating that they see it as a progressive step towards innovation. Moreover, the SPGA added that this win follows a national trend where lawmakers are rejecting anti-gaming bills that prevent creativity and growth of the gambling industry, and that the bills also aim to control how the average American adult plays online casino games on their phones.
Of course, as with many other states covered in this space, the next steps are murky and will include multiple power players. While the recent gaming bills met their demise in the state, they will not be the last gaming bills put forward in the Sunshine State. With these different bills put forward, it does appear that there is an appetite for more gaming regulation in Florida, but it remains to be seen how much will be enacted and if these political groups can agree on the best next steps for widespread regulations. Of course, the conversation then turns to what widespread gaming legalization looks like in the state, especially when the bulk of the power rests with the native tribes.
Once you are all up to speed in relation to the latest gambling notes and news coming from the Sunshine State, make sure to check out the excellent array of info available for you at SBS. Of course, for even more analysis on the region, the Florida sports betting guide has your back with all of the latest betting updates coming from the region. Conversely, for those interested in and who qualify, the BetOnline sportsbook review rundown has you covered. On this page, you can find out about the latest and greatest promos coming from BetOnline and how you can get involved with all of this action if you are eligible and qualify. Finally, for those interested in some higher-stakes wagering, look no further than the VIP sports betting sites breakdown, which covers a lot of great info regarding VIP wagering and beyond.
About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football and basketball across the country. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones. CURRENTLY Business Development and freelance sports writing RESIDES IN Reno, NV EDUCATION University of Nevada BS and MBA EXPERTISE -Sports writing proficiency in: NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and some motor sports -Topical news -Promotional and marketing ideas/updates -Business development Summary Chris Boline serves in a business development sales capacity as his day job. He has previously held sales/marketing positions with The Applied Companies (TAC), KTVN 2 News and the NBA G League’s Reno Bighorns, affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. He is a Reno native and is a member of various community boards including the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET and the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA). Chris graduated from the University of Nevada in 2015 with a bachelors in management and economics and also earned his MBA from Nevada in 2023. More about Chris: Past president of the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA) 2022-23 Two-time honoree for University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year (Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, 2017 & COBAA, 2021) 2021 NCET award for Professional Services Organization of the Year with TAC Northern Nevada Human Resources Association 2020 Best Places to Work-Northern Nevada, Second Place with TAC 2016-17 Reno Bighorns MVP from the Sacramento Kings The Nevada Sagebrush editor-in-chief 2013-15 Associated Collegiate Press 2015 Four-year Non-daily Newspaper Pacemaker honoree University of Nevada, Reno College of Business Dean's List honoree (5x) from 2011-2015 Nevada Press Association award for Best Sports Column – Community in 2015 Education
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