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Read Full BioFlorida lawmakers approved a bill that would significantly increase criminal penalties, tighten restrictions, and give more authority to regulators in the fight against illegal gambling.
Members of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee voted 13-4 in favor of HB 189, which will now go to the Commerce Committee before a potential full vote on the House floor.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Dana Trabulsy, said illegal gambling is everywhere now, from restaurants, bars, and gas stations to mall arcades and online platforms.
“Florida has experienced a rapid proliferation of illegal slot machines and unregulated gaming arcades,” Trabulsy said.
The legislation proposes converting several gambling-related misdemeanors into felonies, including trafficking in slot machines or their components, making false claims about gambling legality, and transporting people to facilitate illegal gambling.
The state’s gambling regulator has been actively targeting illegal gambling operations, seizing almost $15 million and thousands of illegal gambling machines last year.
Osceola Sheriff Arrest Stimulates Calls for Increased Action
Rep. Taylor Yarkosky of Montverde, Lake County, said he supports the bill as he has been having an “absolute nightmare” in his district due to illegal gambling operations.
This week, the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) carried out raids at three venues in Lake County, accused of running illegal gambling operations. One venue was Hot Seats, a gaming arcade connected to the arrest of Osceala County Sheriff Marcos Lopez.
Yarkosky said, “It is organized crime. It is craziness. It is trafficking. I mean, we just had the Osceola County Sheriff arrested because he was the one that had the heavy hand on that place. … This is a real problem, and it takes bold action like what you’re doing.”
Bill’s Critics Concerned About Legitimate Businesses
The lawmakers who voted against the bill said they were concerned that it is too over-reaching, and could negatively affect legitimate businesses.
Rep. Mike Gottlieb said a line in the bill’s text would punish individuals for hosting games, whether they are “prohibited or not,” which could create problems.
Additionally, Florida Politics reported that he took exception to another line that said it is unlawful to have a slot machine “or any part thereof.” He pointed out that several slot machine parts are also components of common items, such as phones, computers, and ATMs.
Trabulsy said she will look into his complaints and may consider amending the legislation if appropriate. She was less receptive to other lawmakers proposing an exemption for non-profits from the rules, which would allow veteran organizations to continue using machines at fund-raising events.
The bill has been backed by the FGCC and also has support from the Seminole Tribe’s lobbyists. The tribe has an exclusive agreement with Florida to run gambling in the state, barring eight select locations in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
