Two gambling-related bills failed to garner enough support, but could be resurrected later
Efforts to restrict online gambling in Florida have hit a wall, at least for now. Senate Bill 1404, introduced by Senator Corey Simon, aimed to ban online sweepstakes casinos and other forms of internet gambling not covered under the state’s compact with the Seminole Tribe. The bill failed to move forward after a substitute version stalled in the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government.
The bill’s failure marks a temporary win for operators of sweepstakes casinos, which rely on promotional contest laws to operate in legal gray areas. Had the legislation passed, it would have cut off those avenues and further concentrated control of online gambling under the Seminole Tribe’s Hard Rock brand.
Supporters of the bill argued it was needed to protect consumers and reinforce the state’s gambling agreement with the tribe. However, critics viewed it as an attempt to limit competition and expand tribal exclusivity in the market.
In parallel, House Bill 1467 also failed to advance. This proposal sought to criminalize unauthorized sports betting outside of the Hard Rock platform and would have brought daily fantasy sports (DFS) under formal state regulation. The bill moved through several committees but faced resistance in the Commerce Committee, where multiple amendments were filed. Ultimately, it was pulled before reaching a final vote.
Both measures could be revived if Governor Ron DeSantis calls for a special session or legislative extension, though he has not made any public indication of doing so. The Social and Promotional Games Association welcomed the outcome, calling it a step forward for consumer freedom and innovation in online gaming.
The setback leaves Florida’s online gambling landscape unchanged for now, with sweepstakes casinos and DFS operators continuing to function in regulatory limbo while the state’s long-term digital gaming policy remains uncertain.
