Adam Roarty Editor
Adam Roarty is a journalist covering sports betting, regulation, and industry innovation for CasinoBeats. His coverage includes tax increases in the UK, covering breaking stories in the ever-evolving landscape of US betting such as the...
Read Full BioFlorida’s Senate has advanced legislation that proposes increasing penalties for illegal gambling in the state. The bill has now been unanimously approved by two committees.
On Wednesday, the Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government voted 8-0 in favor of Senate Bill 1580. It will now move to the Rules Committee; if passed there, it will likely move to a full vote on the Senate floor.
The legislation proposes increasing the penalty for those who operate an illegal gambling house to a third-degree felony. That punishment was reduced to a misdemeanor six years ago.
Weak Penalties No Deterrent
The state has seen a surge in the number of illegal gambling venues. Last year, the Florida Gaming Control Commission seized 6,725 illegal slot machines and almost $15 million in funds gained from illegal gambling.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Jonathan Martin, cited the downgrading of penalties as a reason for the prevalence of illegal gambling. He stated, “Current penalties are, frankly, too weak to deter operators.”
Venues that have been raided frequently reopen under the same or different names. Martin wants to stop that cycle and believes that increasing punishments will reduce the number of “bad actors” running establishments.
He added, “The goal is to protect communities, uphold gambling integrity, and stop bad actors who profit from illegal operations.”
New Penalties Too Severe?
Jon Zachem, a lawyer representing the Amusement Machine Owners Association of Florida, said the bill goes too far in the opposite direction.
He argues that an arrest on felony charges could negatively impact someone for the rest of their lives, even if they are acquitted. He told Florida Politics, “Getting one or two bad actors and making hundreds possibly end up having to bear this burden is unfair.”
Leaders of military veteran groups have also criticized the bill because they often operate low-stakes gambling activities.
Other Bills Active in Florida
A similar bill has also made progress in the House. Lawmakers in the House Commerce Committee approved HB189 in a 19-5 vote two weeks ago. The legislation would also increase penalties for illegal gambling arcades.
In addition, the bill targets sweepstakes casinos, making it a felony to operate, conduct, or promote illegal gambling, Internet gambling, or Internet sports wagering.
Critics have similarly said that the severe penalties risk legitimate businesses suffering. Lawmakers proposed an exemption for non-profits from the rules, allowing veteran organizations to continue using machines at fundraising events. That has not yet been added to the bill’s text, however.
The next step will be a full vote on the House floor, but it has not yet been scheduled. The legislative session in Florida runs until March 13.
