Florida’s proposed legislation targeting sweepstakes gaming has passed another committee, edging closer to becoming law. SB 1404, introduced by Sen. Corey Simon, received a favorable vote from the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government. This marks the second Senate committee backing for the bill, with one more review by the Fiscal Policy Committee still ahead.
Good to know
- Florida’s Senate committee has advanced a bill that could ban sweepstakes gaming statewide.
- The bill proposes making illegal online gambling a third-degree felony.
- Veteran organizations worry the bill could impact their charitable gaming machines.
The legislation defines internet gambling as any online game that allows players to win cash or valuable items based on chance. That broad definition would cover sweepstakes gaming, where players use tokens—some of which can be redeemed for real rewards—to play casino-style games online.
If passed, SB 1404 would outlaw such forms of gambling unless they fall under the current gaming compact between Florida and the Seminole Tribe. It also bans internet sports betting and introduces stricter penalties for illegal gambling activity.
What’s in the Bill
Under the proposed law, illegal internet gambling would be considered a third-degree felony. Lawmakers believe this step could help address the rise of unregulated online gaming platforms. If approved by the remaining committee and passed by the Senate, the bill could go into effect as soon as October 1.
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) are not part of this proposal, likely because another bill focused on DFS is working its way through the legislature separately.
While SB 1404 advanced, not everyone was fully convinced. Some senators raised concerns about the clarity of the language. Sen. Jason W.B. Pizzo and Sen. Colleen Burton both supported the bill but said they’d like to see the definitions tightened.
Burton noted that had the bill been up for final approval in its current form, she would have voted against it. Their concerns focused on which types of gambling devices and games might fall under the proposed ban.
Opposition also came from the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Both organizations use gaming machines at their venues to raise funds for charitable programs. Representatives said the bill’s current wording doesn’t make it clear whether their operations would become illegal under the new law.
With two Senate committees already giving their approval, all eyes now turn to the Fiscal Policy Committee. A favorable vote there would push SB 1404 to the Senate floor for a final decision.
The post Senate Panel Supports Florida Ban on Sweepstakes Games appeared first on iGaming.org.