Senator Cory Simon has presented a bill that, if passed, would stiffen the punishment for anyone offering online gambling outside of the Seminole Tribe.
Senate Bill 1404 was unanimously approved 8-0 by the Senate Regulated Industries Committee earlier this week. The bill seeks to explicitly ban internet gambling and online sports betting unless offered by the Seminole Tribe. Hard Rock Bet is the tribe’s official gaming partner for betting on sports online in Florida.
SB 1404 defines “internet gambling” as an activity where money or another valuable item is awarded through an online casino-style game that relies on chance, regardless of skill application. The definition could effectively apply to sweepstakes games and FL online casinos.
Critics of the bill claim that the Seminole Tribe monopolizes gaming in Florida and that online sites operating outside the state are not breaking state or federal laws by accepting players from the Sunshine State.
Other Florida Gambling Bills Fall Short Of Approval
In addition to SB 1404, similar bills, including Sen. Jonathan Martin’s S1836, Rep. John Snyder’s H1467, and Rep. Webster Barnaby’s H953, each suggest stiffer punishments for online gambling in the state.
Some of those bills make it a third-degree felony to bribe individuals with insider knowledge to affect performance or the game’s outcome, for athletes to accept money to underperform, or to bet on prearranged game results.
Can I Gamble Online In Florida?
Yes, for now, no laws prevent online casinos, sportsbooks, or poker sites operating from outside the state from accepting players from Florida. Many legal gambling sites have been operating in Florida and other US States since the late 1990s and have become the most trusted source for gambling online.
The state has been trying to pass new laws to prevent online gaming operators from accepting Florida players; however, since online gambling sites often operate outside of US jurisdiction, state laws often fall short of support.
If you do choose to gamble online in Florida, we have reviewed the best online casinos for Florida players. We discuss the legality of each site, gaming options, banking methods, bonuses and rewards, and more.