New Florida gambling package moves forward

Florida gambling bill targets illegal fixed bets, clarifies daily fantasy rules

The package creates new felonies tied to fixed events and bribery, defines daily fantasy contests and strengthens enforcement against illegal gambling.

A House panel in Florida has advanced a sweeping gambling package that tightens penalties around match-fixing, defines daily fantasy sports and strengthens enforcement against illegal machines, positioning the state for a sports betting integrity and gaming rules discussion when the new session gavels in this January.

The House Industries and Professional Activities Subcommittee approved PCS for HB 189 Tuesday afternoon. HB 189 is a nearly 100-page gambling bill that would overhaul Florida’s gambling laws, including provisions related to match-fixing.

Felonies tied to sports betting integrity

The proposal creates new felony offences tied to sports betting integrity, including betting with knowledge of a fixed result and bribery-related conduct. That includes felonies for anyone who conspires or promises a bribe to influence a game, anyone who accepts a bribe as part of a match-fixing scheme and anyone making a bet with knowledge of the bribe. Those newly proposed felonies come after the arrest of Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier last month as part of an FBI sports betting probe.

The subcommittee’s approval comes two months ahead of the start of Florida’s legislative session in January. The measure was referred to the Commerce Committee and the Criminal Justice Subcommittee.

Reaction from stakeholders and nonprofits

Lawmakers discussed the bill little on Tuesday, and nationwide industry stakeholders were absent from the hearing. A variety of nonprofit organisations from the state, including the VFW, American Legion and Florida Moose Association, testified in opposition. However, they are in support of “getting illegal gaming out of the state” and hope for clear definitions of charitable gambling.

Rep Dana Trabulsy filed the bill and guided it through Tuesday’s hearing. She said she is willing to work with concerned parties and lawmakers to make it a stronger bill.

Florida fantasy sports defined

The gambling bill would regulate daily fantasy sports operators, which have operated in the grey market in Florida. It defines fantasy sports as a contest with an entry fee where a user controls a simulated sports team.

It includes language that outcomes cannot be based on individual performance and the contests cannot involve collegiate participants.

The Florida Attorney General’s Office sent cease-and-desist letters to Betr, PrizePicks and Underdog for offering prop-style games in 2024.

Seminole compact and sports betting landscape

The Seminole tribe of Florida does not comment on proposed legislation but does support efforts to eliminate illegal gambling. The Seminoles hold sports betting exclusivity in the state through a state-tribal compact, in addition to operating Las Vegas-style resort casinos. FanDuel and DraftKings pumped nearly $40 million into a failed ballot initiative attempt to legalise commercial sports betting in 2022.

Along with its daily fantasy sports language, the bill cleans up portions of state law concerning live racing taxes and provides definitions for penalties for online gambling and illegal sports betting. A bill penalising operators outside of the tribal compact was shelved earlier this year.

Crackdown on illegal slot machines

The bill would also increase criminal penalties against illegal slot machines. Last week, Carl Herold, director of law enforcement for the Florida Gaming Control Commission, told a Florida House panel it needs more help. He said the existing misdemeanours are not enough for proper enforcement.