Bill > S1404

Introduced Session

An act relating to gambling; amending s. 16.71, F.S.; deleting obsolete provisions; deleting language concerning factors to be considered in making appointments to the Florida Gaming Control Commission; amending s. 16.712, F.S.; revising the information that must be included in the commission’s annual report to the Governor and the Legislature; amending s. 16.713, F.S.; prohibiting certain employment for a specified timeframe before or during a person’s service with the commission; amending s. 16.715, F.S.; revising standards of conduct for the commission; prohibiting certain post-employment activities for former commissioners and employees for a specified period; amending s. 546.10, F.S.; authorizing certain organizations, before purchasing, installing, or operating a game or machine on its premises and if in doubt about whether such machine meets the definition of an amusement machine, to petition the commission for a specified declaratory statement on whether the operation of such game or machine is authorized or prohibited; prohibiting such organizations from purchasing or installing a game or machine until such declaratory statement is issued; prohibiting such organizations from petitioning the commission if the game or machine in question is the subject of a criminal investigation; requiring the commission to issue a declaratory statement within a specified timeframe; prohibiting the commission from denying a petition if it was validly requested; specifying the information that must be included in a petition for a declaratory statement; providing that the declaratory statement is valid only for the game or machine for which it is requested and is invalid if the specifications for the game or machine have been changed; providing that the declaratory statement is binding on the commission and may be introduced as evidence in subsequent proceedings; providing construction; amending ss. 550.09512 and 550.09515, F.S.; deleting a requirement that the commission reissue certain escheated permits to qualified applicants; deleting applicability; deleting a provision that such new applicants are authorized to operate certain facilities within the specified area of the escheated permit; amending s. 551.103, F.S.; revising the powers and duties of the commission; amending s. 551.104, F.S.; revising the hiring and procurement policy and reporting requirements for slot machine gaming licensure; deleting a provision requiring slot machine licensees to provide an annual report containing certain information to the commission; amending s. 551.114, F.S.; authorizing a slot machine licensee to apply to the commission to change the location of the designated slot machine gaming area if certain conditions are met; requiring a pari-mutuel permit holder to submit to the commission certain information about the new designated slot machine gaming area; providing that the commission is responsible for approving or denying an application to change the location of the designated slot machine gaming area; requiring applicants to use forms adopted by the commission; requiring the commission to examine and approve or deny applications within specified timeframes; authorizing the commission to adopt rules; amending s. 838.12, F.S.; prohibiting betting on athletic contests with knowledge that the results are prearranged or predetermined; providing criminal penalties; amending s. 843.08, F.S.; prohibiting false personation of personnel or representatives of the commission; providing criminal penalties; amending s. 849.01, F.S.; revising criminal penalties for offenses involving keeping a gambling house; amending s. 849.02, F.S.; increasing criminal penalties for specified offenses by agents or employees of the keeper of a gambling house; amending s. 849.03, F.S.; revising criminal penalties for offenses involving renting a house for gambling purposes; amending s. 849.08, F.S.; defining the terms “Internet gambling” and “Internet sports wagering”; prohibiting Internet gambling and Internet sports wagering and related offenses; providing criminal penalties; providing an exception; amending s. 849.086, F.S.; providing that a cardroom operator may limit the playing of any game to persons 21 years of age or older; making technical changes; prohibiting specified actions relating to manipulation of card games; providing criminal penalties; creating s. 849.0932, F.S.; defining terms; prohibiting entry fees collected by noncommercial contest operators from exceeding a specified amount; requiring that all entry fees be returned to contest participants in the form of prizes; requiring the commission to investigate and refer violations to the Attorney General or the state attorney in the circuit in which the violation occurs; authorizing the Attorney General or the state attorney to institute proceedings to enjoin persons found to be in violation of specified provisions of law; providing fines of specified amounts and civil and criminal penalties for specified violations; amending s. 849.11, F.S.; prohibiting certain offenses related to games of chance involving the Internet; providing criminal penalties; amending s. 849.13, F.S.; providing enhanced criminal penalties for second or subsequent violations of certain provisions; amending s. 849.14, F.S.; revising the criminal penalties for betting or wagering on certain activities; amending s. 849.15, F.S.; defining terms; providing criminal penalties for specified offenses relating to the manufacture, possession, and sale of slot machines or devices; providing that shipments of legal gaming devices into Indian lands are deemed legal shipments under certain circumstances; creating s. 849.155, F.S.; prohibiting trafficking in slot machines, devices, or parts thereof; providing criminal penalties; providing exceptions; providing for the deposit of fines into a specified trust fund for specified purposes; creating s. 849.157, F.S.; prohibiting the making of a false or misleading statement regarding the legality of slot machines or devices for specified purposes; providing criminal penalties; repealing s. 849.23, F.S., relating to penalties for violations of specified sections; creating s. 849.47, F.S.; defining the term “illegal gambling”; prohibiting the transportation of specified numbers of persons, persons of certain ages, for the purpose of facilitating illegal gambling; providing criminal penalties; creating s. 849.48, F.S.; defining the term “illegal gambling”; prohibiting specified gambling or gaming advertisements; providing criminal penalties; providing construction; creating s. 849.49, F.S.; preempting to the state the regulation of gaming, gambling, lotteries, or any activities described in specified provisions; amending s. 903.046, F.S.; providing for consideration of the amount of currency seized connected to or involved in specified gambling or gaming offenses when determining whether to release a defendant prior to trial; amending s. 921.0022, F.S.; ranking offenses for purposes of the offense severity ranking chart of the Criminal Punishment Code; amending ss. 772.102 and 895.02, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; reenacting s. 550.3345(3), F.S., relating to the conversion of quarter horse permit to a limited thoroughbred permit, to incorporate the amendment made to s. 550.09515, F.S., in a reference thereto; providing an effective date.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Corey Simon (R)*, 

Other Sponsors (2)

Died pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) (on 06/16/2025)

Official Document