Florida is seeing plenty of activity lately when it comes to anti-sweepstakes bills. The latest is HB 591, filed on December 2 by Berny Jacques (pictured), Member of the Florida House of Representatives.
HB 591 is an 86-page bill aimed squarely at digital gray area gaming, targeting platforms which simulate gambling and would subsequently be framed as operating outside of Florida’s regulated system.
HB 591 tries to shut down loopholes by:
- Broadening what counts as an illegal gambling device
- Tightening rules for any online or electronic system that uses systems like virtual currencies
- Giving state agencies more authority to target operators
The practical impact is that online sweepstakes casinos would face far more scrutiny, and run the real risk of being classified as unlawful gambling under Florida law. This could lead to a third degree felony, resulting in fines and prison time.
And while it doesn’t mention the Seminole Tribe by name, the bill would strengthen the tribe’s grip over gaming in Florida by default.
The Seminole Tribe Runs Gaming in Florida
The Seminole Tribe is central to gambling in Florida, much like the tribes are in California, except in the Sunshine State, it’s just one tribe.
Under the state’s gaming compact, the Seminole Tribe holds exclusive rights to most casino gambling, including slots, table games, and (after recent court battles) online sports betting. In return, the tribe pays the state hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
Because of this compact, Florida has one of the most tightly controlled gambling markets in the US. If it isn’t run by the Seminoles or explicitly carved out by law, it’s usually off-limits, including online casino-style gaming.
HB 591 Isn’t the Only Bill in Florida that Could Affect Sweeps Casinos
This year we’ve also seen bills like SB 1404, which had a similar aim to HB 591 but fizzled out in June. Then CS/HB 189, a broad House bill that seeks to clamp down on everything from unlicensed online gambling to machine-based game rooms.
While the wording may differ, all three bills point in the same direction: Florida lawmakers are increasingly trying to close the loopholes that let online sweepstakes casinos and simulated-gambling sites operate in the state.
That’s why it was all the more strange that sweeps trade group, the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA) recently announced it would like to see regulation for sweeps sites in Florida. Or was it? Perhaps the SGLA is pushing back due to the very fact that it sees this wave of anti-sweepstake sentiment starting to build in Florida, and it doesn’t want a ban of the kind that’s about to land in California.
For the time being, the vast majority of sweepstakes casinos operate in the Sunshine State. In fact, it’s one of the least restricted states according to the terms and conditions of sweeps sites. However, with the wave of proposed bills this year that would limit the format, Florida is certainly a state to monitor closely so we can see how any bills progress.
Author: Joseph Allen
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