Florida Bills Seek to Expand Gambling Ban, Potentially Paving Way for iGaming

Florida lawmakers are pushing for a significant expansion of the state’s gambling restrictions, with new legislation aiming to ban sweepstakes casinos, online casino gaming, and unauthorized sports betting.

Representative Walter Barnaby introduced HB953 on February 24, followed by Senator Corey Simon, who filed S1404 on February 26. These bills seek to broaden the definition of "internet gambling" and "internet sports wagering", potentially outlawing unregulated gaming while creating space for the Seminole Tribe to expand into online casino gaming.

Hard Rock’s Compact and Regulatory Moves

Florida’s 30-year compact with the Seminole Tribe, signed in May 2021, allowed Class III casino gaming and mobile sports betting, generating at least $500 million annually for the state. After overcoming legal challenges, Hard Rock launched online sports betting in December 2023.

Now, some industry experts believe these new bills could be a strategic move to clear the way for Hard Rock to enter iGaming while shutting down offshore and sweepstakes casino operators.

Redefining Online Gambling and Sports Betting

Both bills introduce new definitions for online gambling:

• Internet gambling is defined as:
  “…playing or engaging in any game in which money or other thing of value is awarded based on chance, regardless of skill application, and that is available on the Internet via mobile devices, computer terminals, or similar access devices. This includes, but is not limited to, slot machines, video poker, and table games that simulate casino-style gaming.”
  The phrase "simulates casino-style gaming" appears to target sweepstakes casinos, which offer free-play games that can result in real-money prizes.
• Internet sports wagering is described as:
  “…staking, betting, or wagering money or another thing of value on the outcome of any competition of skill, speed, power, or endurance of human or beast, available on the Internet and accessible on a mobile device, computer terminal, or similar access device.”

These clarifications suggest a crackdown on unregulated online gaming while reinforcing the Seminole Tribe’s exclusivity.

Legal Penalties for Players and Operators

If passed, these bills would introduce new legal consequences:

• Individuals participating in internet gambling could face a second-degree misdemeanor.
• Internet sports betting violations would require two offenses to reach the same threshold.
• Operators, suppliers, vendors, and payment processors engaging in unauthorized gambling could be charged with a third-degree felony.

These legislative measures come after Florida Gaming Control Commission issued cease-and-desist orders to major offshore operators, signaling a wider effort to control the online gambling landscape.

Could This Set the Stage for Hard Rock iGaming?

While the primary focus of these bills appears to be shutting down sweepstakes casinos and unlicensed gaming sites, some believe they may also open the door for Hard Rock to launch an online casino platform.

Florida’s 2021 gaming compact initially included language allowing discussions on online casino gaming for the Seminole Tribe, but that provision was removed. However, with some legislative opponents no longer in office, the possibility of iGaming expansion may be revisited.

If Hard Rock enters the iGaming market, Florida could become the largest online casino gaming state in the U.S., joining New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan as key regulated hubs.

The future of Florida’s gambling industry will now depend on the fate of these bills, regulatory decisions, and potential negotiations with the Seminole Tribe.

Source:

Florida Lawmakers Introduce Bills to Broaden Gambling Ban, Real Money Action, March 3, 2025.