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Florida lawmakers have approved a bill banning sweepstakes casinos.
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The bill was approved unanimously by the Senate Regulated Industries committee, 8-0.
Corey Simon’s bill essentially prohibits “internet gambling” and “internet sports betting” outside of the Seminole Tribe, which effectively bans sweepstakes gaming in Florida. Only the Seminole owned Hard Rock Bet is regulated in the state.
The bill has been moved forward to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government.
A companion bill was introduced in the Florida House by Rep. Webster Barnaby (R-29) HB 953. Barnaby’s legislation has yet to be voted on by a committee. . Should the legislation come to fruition, the new law would make it a Class C felony to offer both internet gambling and internet sports betting to those in the state, and this includes sweepstakes casinos. The Seminoles will still be able to offer sports betting, and potential internet casino gambling down the road.
Florida granted the Seminoles a 30 year exclusivity deal to offer in-person and online sports betting.
The bill passed in the Senate Regulated Industries committee just days after the Executive Director of the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) left to take a senior role with FanDuel.
FGCC Executive Director Louis Trombetta resigned from his post in December and soon afterward took up the position of Director of Government Relations at FanDuel.
Rep. John Snyder’s HB 1467 would now prevent someone from accepting a gaming industry job within two years of leaving a role with the Florida gaming regulator.
That bill also looks to redefine what fantasy sports can entail and changing criminal penalties for specific offenses.
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