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Bill > S1164


FL S1164

FL S1164
Gambling


summary

Introduced
01/06/2026
In Committee
01/12/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/13/2026

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

An act relating to gambling; amending s. 16.71, F.S.; deleting obsolete provisions; deleting language concerning factors to be considered in appointments to the Florida Gaming Control Commission; amending s. 551.104, F.S.; revising hiring and procurement policy and reporting requirements for slot machine gaming licensure; 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 of the Florida Gaming Control 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 a 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.; prohibiting specified actions relating to manipulation of card games; providing criminal penalties; amending s. 849.11, F.S.; prohibiting certain offenses related to games of chance using 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 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; creating s. 849.155, F.S.; prohibiting trafficking in slot machines, devices, or parts thereof; providing criminal penalties; 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 a specified number of people, 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; creating s. 849.49, F.S.; prohibiting counties, municipalities, and other political subdivisions from enacting or enforcing any ordinance or rule regarding the regulation of gaming, gambling, lotteries, or any activities described in specified provisions; providing exceptions; 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; providing an effective date.

AI Summary

This bill, titled "Gambling," proposes several changes to Florida law concerning gambling activities. It aims to update provisions related to the Florida Gaming Control Commission by removing outdated language about appointment considerations. The bill revises hiring and procurement policies for slot machine gaming licenses and strengthens penalties for various gambling offenses, including keeping a gambling house, renting property for gambling, and betting on prearranged athletic contests. Notably, it explicitly defines and prohibits "Internet gambling" and "Internet sports wagering," with criminal penalties for both participation and operation, though it includes an exception for activities authorized under specific tribal gaming compacts. The bill also introduces new offenses and penalties for trafficking in slot machines, making false statements about their legality, and transporting individuals to facilitate illegal gambling. Furthermore, it preempts local ordinances regarding gaming and gambling, meaning counties and municipalities cannot enact their own rules in this area unless specifically allowed by state law. The bill also adjusts how seized currency is considered in bail determinations and updates the offense severity ranking chart for the Criminal Punishment Code to include new and reclassified gambling-related crimes, with an effective date of October 1, 2026.

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Died in Regulated Industries (on 03/13/2026)

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