At the end of March, we reported that House Bill 1467, filed on February 28 by Florida Reps. John Snyder (R-Palm Beach) and Adam Anderson (R-Pinellas), was looking to set a two-year restriction period during which state gambling regulators would not be allowed to join fantasy sports or betting companies after leaving office.
Now, the same HB is seeking to give harsher punishments to individuals running illegal gambling venues.
Upgrade to Felony of the Third Degree
Namely, the legislation is looking to increase these types of convictions from misdemeanors to third-degree felonies on the first offense for operators.
In other words, a significant shift in the way these offenses are currently handled.
The proposed bill builds on a similar effort that passed the Florida Senate last year but ultimately stalled in the House.
HB1467 would not only slap operators with stiffer consequences. Employees who knowingly participate in the operation would have their first offenses treated as misdemeanors, while any second violation would be handled as a felony.
Moreover, repeat offenders, both owners and workers, would face even harsher punishments.
Punishing Sports Outcome Manipulation
The bill also targets individuals who attempt to manipulate sports outcomes. According to the new amendments in Section 838.12, anyone caught bribing an athlete to alter the result of a game for betting purposes would face a third-degree felony under the updated law.
Since being introduced, HB1467 has moved through the Budget Committee and the Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee.
The bill is currently under review by the House Commerce Committee, where it was discussed earlier this week.
As of April 17, the bill has been laid on the Table under Rule 7.18(a), CS filed, referred to the House Calendar, added to the Special Order Calendar on April 23, and has had its first reading.
The Need for Stricter Regulations
Law enforcement and gaming regulators have been advocating for stricter gambling laws for years.
They argue that current misdemeanor-level penalties aren’t enough of a deterrent. Police say many illegal slot parlors, often disguised as arcades, reopen soon after being shut down.
A 2023 Tampa Bay Times investigation found that some of these arcades were pulling in profits between $20,000 and $60,000 a month.
With an estimated 1,000 or more illegal gambling storefronts operating across the Sunshine State, backers of HB1467 say the financial incentives far outweigh the risks under current laws.
However, not everyone is on board. During the April 15 Commerce Committee meeting, Jonathan Zachem of the Amusement Machine Association of Florida raised concerns on behalf of veterans’ groups that operate legal skill-based games.
“We want to be very clear: we support games that are legal in the State of Florida,” Zachem said.
“But if you look at the statute [HB1467] right now, it has elements that say you can go to jail and prison for having legal games… That means these veterans can be charged for having an illegal gambling house.”, Zachem continued.
“Instead of fixing that language, we’re making this a felony,” he added. According to the Florida Gaming Control Commission, some organizations, including fraternal and veterans’ groups, charities, and nonprofits, may be allowed to provide “certain types of gambling activities to their patrons” in case specific requirements are met.