Florida Lawmakers Eyeing Sweepstakes Gambling Ban

• Two new Florida bills have been introduced to ban sweepstakes gambling in the state
• The bills ban sweepstakes sports betting and casino games
• The bans will not affect the Seminole Tribes sports betting compact with the state

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Another state is eyeing a complete ban of sweepstakes gambling, including casino style games and sports betting, as more state lawmakers are targeting the form of gaming.

Companion bills have been introduced in both the Florida House of Representatives and Senate to ban “internet gambling” and “internet sports betting,” targeting sweepstakes gaming companies in the state.

If approved, the legislation will make both a third-degree felony. It will not affect the Seminole Tribe’s ability to offer Florida sports betting, however.

Lawmakers Taking Aim at Florida Sweepstakes

Rep. Webster Barnaby (R-29) introduced HB 953, while Sen. Corey Simon (R-3) introduced companion bill SB 1404, both to prohibit “internet gambling” and “internet sports betting” to effectively ban sweepstakes gaming in Florida.

The bills will not affect the Seminole Tribe’s gaming compact with Florida. The 30-year gaming compact between the tribe and state grants exclusive in person and online sports betting to the Seminole Tribe, as well as the right to offer craps and roulette at its casinos. In exchange, the Seminole Tribe makes annual payments of at least $500 million a year to the state.

The gaming compact runs through 2051 and will likely allow the tribe to legalize iGaming through the same process it legalized online sports betting.

The new legislation defines “internet gambling” as playing or engaging in “any game in which money or other thing of value is awarded based on chance, regardless of any application of skill, that is available on the Internet and accessible on a mobile device, computer terminal, or other similar access device and simulates casino-style gaming, including, but not limited to, slot machines, video poker, and table games.”

The bill also prohibits sweepstakes gaming companies from offering sports betting games as well.

Anyone found offering or hosting the banned forms of gambling will face a potential third-degree felony charge, according to the bill.

Florida Joins States To Explore Sweepstakes Ban

Florida is just the latest state to evaluate banning sweepstakes gambling.

Maryland, Connecticut, and Mississippi lawmakers have all introduced legislation this year to ban the new type of gambling.

The Mississippi Senate approved a bill banning sweepstakes earlier this month, forwarding SB 2510 to the House by a 44-1 vote. Sen. Joey Fillingane’s (R-41) legislation places online sweepstakes games and sweepstakes casinos on the state’s prohibited games list.

The legislation will raise the potential penalty for sweepstakes operators from a misdemeanor to a felony, with each violation potentially resulting in a fine of no more than $100,000 or imprisonment for up to 10 years.

Two companion bills in Maryland were introduced this month in the Senate and House of Representatives to ban online sweepstakes games. Sen. Paul D. Corderman (R-2) introduced SB 860 and Delegate Eric Ebersole (D-44A) introduced HB 1140 as companion bills to ban the form of gaming.

In addition to banning online sweepstakes gaming, the bills will allow the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to deny any individual or operator a gaming license or to continue to operate in the state if they accept revenue that is directly or indirectly connected to sweepstakes gaming.

In Connecticut, the Connecticut General Law Committee introduced SB 1235, which prohibits unlicensed participation “in certain real or simulated online casino gaming or sports wagering.”

The bill also prohibits lottery ticket resales and ticket courier services.