Bill > H0189

Introduced Session

An act relating to gambling; amending s. 16.712, F.S.; revising the contents of an annual report by the Florida Gaming Control Commission; amending s. 16.713, F.S.; prohibiting certain appointment or employment for a specified period before or during 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. 20.055, F.S.; revising the definition of the term "agency head"; requiring the Florida Gaming Control Commission's agency head to appoint an inspector general; amending s. 546.10, F.S.; authorizing certain organizations to petition the commission before purchasing, installing, or operating a game or machine on their premises before petitioning for and being issued a specified declaratory statement from the commission if the organizations are unsure if such game or machine is an amusement machine; prohibiting such organizations from purchasing or installing a game or machine until an outstanding declaratory statement is issued; prohibiting such organizations from seeking a declaratory statement if the game or machine in question is the subject of a hb189-03-c3 CS/ criminal investigation; authorizing petitions to be denied for specified grounds; 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 request for a declaratory statement; providing that the declaratory statement is valid only for the game or machine for which it is requested; providing that the declaratory statement 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 s. 550.002, F.S.; revising the definition of the term "ultimate equitable owner"; amending s. 550.054, F.S.; revising when commission approval is needed for transfers of stock or other evidence of ownership of certain pari-mutuel permitholders; amending s. 550.09512, F.S.; removing provisions requiring reissuance of escheated harness horse permits; amending s. 550.09515, F.S.; prohibiting reissuance of horse permits to certain permitholders who do not pay tax on handle for live races for a specified period; removing provisions requiring reissuance of escheated hb189-03-c3 CS/ horse permits; 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. 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 a keeper of a gambling house; creating s. 849.021, F.S.; defining the terms "government employee" and "political subdivision"; providing that government emloyees who take certain actions relating to gaming houses are subject to specified punishment; providing an exception; creating s. 849.023, F.S.; providing definitions; providing that certain violations of law may result in the loss of specified licenses or denial of application; authorizing licensees to retain, apply for, and be reissued a license in specified circumstances; providing additional penalties; amending s. 849.03, F.S.; revising criminal penalties for offenses involving renting a house for gambling purposes; amending s. 849.08, F.S.; providing definitions; prohibiting Internet gambling and Internet sports wagering and related offenses; providing criminal penalties; providing an exceptions; amending s. 849.086, F.S.; hb189-03-c3 CS/ prohibiting specified actions relating to the manipulation of card games; providing criminal penalties; creating s. 849.0932, F.S.; defining the term "fantasy sports contest"; requiring such contests to meet specified requirements; providing penalties for violations; authorizing the commission to investigate and refer violations for prosecution; authorizing enforcement actions by the Attorney General and state attorneys; providing criminal penalties for certain violations; amending s. 849.11, F.S.; prohibiting certain offenses relating to games of chance; 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 criminal penalties for betting or wagering on certain activities; repealing s. 849.142, F.S., relating to exempted activities; amending s. 849.15, F.S.; providing definitions; providing criminal penalties for specified offenses relating to the manufacture, possession, and sale of slot machines or devices; creating s. 849.155, F.S.; prohibiting trafficking in slot machines, devices, or part thereof; defining the term "part thereof"; providing criminal penalties; providing for the deposit of fines into a specified hb189-03-c3 CS/ 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; creating s. 849.181; providing legislative intent; providing definitions; authorizing criminal justice agencies to destroy excess slot machines after meeting certain requirements; providing that certain recordings are deemed to be competent evidence in certain circumstances; providing for severability; repealing s. 849.23, F.S., relating to penalties for violations of specified provisions; creating s. 849.47, F.S.; defining the term "illegal gambling"; prohibiting the transportation of specified numbers of persons or 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.; prohibiting specified political subdivisions from enacting or enforcing certain ordinances and rules; creating s. 849.50, F.S.; providing legislative findings; authorizing the Florida Gaming Control Commission to take certain actions relating to a hb189-03-c3 CS/ statewide program for a specified purpose; providing that persons who participate in the program shall not face criminal prosecution in certain circumstances; requiring the program be begin and end at specified times; requiring the commission to advertise the program in a specified manner; providing construction; authorizing the commission to execute memorandums of understanding with specified agencies for a certain purpose; amending s. 903.046, F.S.; revising the factors a court shall consider when making specified determinations; amending s. 921.0022, F.S.; ranking offenses for purposes of the offense severity ranking chart of the Criminal Punishment Code; amending ss. 16.71, 772.102, and 895.02, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; providing an effective date.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Mike Giallombardo (R)*,  Dana Trabulsy (R)*,  Linda Chaney (R),  Taylor Yarkosky (R), 

Other Sponsors (3)

Laid on Table, refer to CS/CS/SB 1580 (on 03/11/2026)

Official Document