for early access to the latest igaming videos!
and get the latest igaming news first!
Sweepstakes casinos will continue to operate in Florida after recent legislative efforts to restrict online gambling in the state faced significant obstacles. This week, two proposed bills aimed at limiting online sweepstakes and non-tribal mobile sports betting were indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration.
Sen. Corey Simon introduced Senate Bill 1404 earlier this year and sought to ban internet casino gaming and mobile sports betting not covered by the state’s exclusive compact with the Seminole Tribe, which oversees the Hard Rock brand. The intention behind this legislation was to centralize online gambling under the tribal agreement.
However, the bill failed when a substitute version failed to receive support in the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government.
The committee’s decision effectively shelved the bill for this session, leaving little chance for revival unless Governor Ron DeSantis calls for an extension or special session. For now, this outcome represents a notable win for online sweepstakes operators who opposed the restrictive measures.
SPGA Praises Development
The Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA) has welcomed the recent defeat of anti-gaming bills in Florida, viewing it as a positive step toward fostering innovation. The SPGA has consistently voiced its concerns over policies that they believe stifle creativity and business growth.
In their statement, the association highlighted a larger national trend, noting that lawmkers in states like Arkansas, Maryland, and Mississippi have also pushed back against similar restrictive measures.
The two Florida bills, partially supported by Sen. Corey Simon, aimed to outlaw dual-currency sweepstakes gaming and internet casino-style play, as well as sports betting outside the Seminole Tribe’s compact. Had these proposals passed, particpants in certain online games could have faced felony charges, raising alarms about their vague language potentially affecting popular promotional campaigns from major brands like McDonald’s and Starbucks.
Critics also argued that the bills would harm the economy by limiting consumer choices and curtailing legal business activities, further exacerbating Florida’s budget challenges. In their commentary, the SPGA stated, “The defeat of these bills continues a clear national trend… Lawmakers across the country are rejecting these anti-innovation, anti-business efforts that attempt to dictate what games American adults can play on their phones.”
Bill to Criminalize Sports Betting Also Fails
The attempt to impose criminal penalties on sports betting outside the Hard Rock platform faced a setback with the failure of House Bill 1467 (HB 1467). This legislation aimed to tighten regulations on sports betting while also addressing lobbying loopholes related to the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC).
One of its key proposals was to extend the cooling-off period for former FGCC members before they could work with fantasy sports or sports betting companies. Additionally, HB 1467 sought to formally regulate daily fantasy sports (DFS), which has long existed in a gray area in Florida. Currently, DFS operators operate without clear legal guidelines, and this bill aimed to bring them under the FGCC’s oversight.
While the legislation made progress through several committees, including the Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee and the Budget Committee, it stumbled in the Commerce Committee. A series of amendments introduced there likely contributed to its withdrawal.
In light of these developments, the SPGA expressed its satisfaction, declaring a “significant win for consumer choice and common sense.”
Source: Next.io
