Florida Sweepstakes Casino Ban Moves to Full House Vote After HB189 Clears Committee

Florida’s sweepstakes casino ban is moving closer to becoming law after HB189 advanced out of the House Commerce Committee. The bill expands the state’s definition of illegal internet gambling and is widely viewed as targeting casino-style sweepstakes platforms operating outside Florida’s regulated gaming system.

Lawmakers approved the measure in a 19-5 committee vote, with two members abstaining. HB189 had already cleared two House subcommittees earlier in the legislative process. It now heads toward consideration by the full Florida House. If passed there, the Senate would still need to approve similar language before the proposal could take effect.

Commerce Committee Advances HB189

The latest vote marks a significant procedural step in Florida’s push to tighten laws around unregulated online gambling products. A companion bill, SB1580, is also moving through the Senate after passing the Regulated Industries Committee 9-0 and advancing to the Senate Commerce Committee.

The parallel movement suggests coordinated legislative momentum rather than an isolated House effort. For operators and affiliates, the direction is clear: Florida lawmakers are attempting to narrow the legal space in which sweepstakes-style gaming platforms operate. Florida’s push follows similar legislative pressure seen in states such as New York’s sweepstakes casino ban, which has triggered broader nationwide scrutiny.

Expanded Definition Targets Sweepstakes-Style Play

At the center of HB189 is an expanded definition of “internet gambling.” A November amendment added language describing internet gambling as games offered online and accessible via mobile devices, in which players can win money or something of value by chance, and that simulate casino-style gameplay.

That wording directly impacts many sweepstakes-style casino sites.

Most platforms rely on dual-currency systems that separate gameplay credits from sweepstakes entries. They also emphasize “no purchase necessary” mechanisms, such as daily bonuses or mail-in entry requests, to align with traditional sweepstakes law.

Critics argue that the user experience closely mirrors real-money online casinos, particularly when winnings on sweepstakes casino platforms can be redeemed for cash or cash equivalents. HB189 appears structured to focus less on promotional mechanics and more on whether the underlying gameplay simulates casino gambling tied to chance-based awards of value.

If enacted, the bill would give Florida a stronger statutory footing to treat many casino-simulated sweepstakes products as illegal internet gambling.

Player Penalties Included

HB189 does not focus solely on operators. The proposal also introduces penalties for individuals who participate in illegal internet gambling.

Under the bill, a first violation would constitute a second-degree misdemeanor. Repeat violations would rise to a first-degree misdemeanor. Under Florida law, a second-degree misdemeanor can carry up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine, while a first-degree misdemeanor can carry up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Most U.S. gambling enforcement models focus on operators rather than users. Including player penalties makes HB189 stand out from the enforcement approaches adopted in many other states.

Felony Exposure for Operators and Promotion

The bill escalates sharply for operators and those deemed to be promoting illegal gambling activity. Running, conducting, or promoting illegal gambling, internet gambling, or internet sports wagering would be classified as a third-degree felony.

In Florida, third-degree felonies can carry penalties of up to five years in prison and fines up to $5,000.

The inclusion of the term “promoting” has drawn particular attention. In other jurisdictions, similar language has raised questions about whether enforcement could extend beyond platform operators to marketers, affiliates, and intermediaries. While legislative debate has centered primarily on gambling platforms themselves, the interpretation of promotional liability will likely receive close scrutiny if the bill becomes law.

Physical Game Rooms Also Targeted

HB189 does not focus exclusively on online activity. The proposal also addresses unauthorized physical “game rooms” operating slot-style machines outside Florida’s regulated channels.

The bill would require the Florida Gaming Control Commission to review new locations and would strengthen felony provisions tied to illegal machine operations. Lawmakers cited nearly $15 million seized last year from illegal gambling activity, more than double the prior year’s figure. The commission also reported confiscating 6,725 illegal slot machines from unauthorized game centers.

By combining sweepstakes-style online products and illegal brick-and-mortar machine operations under the same statutory umbrella, the legislation frames both as part of a broader enforcement campaign.

Seminole Compact Carve-Out

Florida’s gambling framework remains anchored in the state’s gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Gambling conducted under authorized tribal compacts would not be subject to the new criminal penalties outlined in HB189.

This carve-out aligns with Florida’s established regulatory model, which channels permitted gambling activity through compact-authorized or otherwise state-approved systems while targeting unregulated alternatives.

Daily Fantasy Sports Excluded

HB189 draws a distinction between internet sports wagering and traditional daily fantasy sports. The bill explicitly excludes DFS from its definition of internet sports wagering.

Florida has previously taken action against certain against-the-house fantasy formats that resemble player prop betting. Following regulatory pressure, several operators shifted toward peer-to-peer contest models to better align with state expectations.

The DFS exclusion reinforces that the bill’s primary target remains casino-style online gambling simulations rather than traditional fantasy contests.

Full House Vote Next Step

With HB189 now through committee, attention shifts to a potential vote by the full Florida House. Passage there would move the measure to the Senate for further consideration.

If enacted, the bill would significantly strengthen Florida’s position against sweepstakes-style casino operations by expanding the definition of illegal internet gambling, increasing penalties for operators, and introducing misdemeanor exposure for players.

The legislative momentum suggests Florida is positioning itself for a firmer statewide stance on sweepstakes-style online gambling as lawmakers seek to close what they view as regulatory gaps.