The long-anticipated effort to update Florida’s gambling laws has progressed, with HB 189 successfully passing its initial review in the House Industries and Professional Activities Subcommittee. This comprehensive nearly 100-page bill is touted as the most extensive reform in recent years and is set to be revisited by lawmakers when the legislative session kicks off in January 2026.
The recent apprehension of Miami Heat player Terry Rozier during an FBI investigation into sports betting has amplified demands for enhanced protections. This incident, which highlights the potential for match-fixing, has become a pivotal argument among legislators advocating for stronger regulations.
HB 189 aims to fill these regulatory voids by establishing a cohesive enforcement framework while clarifying legal parameters within the state. A key component of the bill concentrates on sports integrity. The legislation proposes new felony offenses related to bribery, rigged outcomes, and collusion to manipulate sports results.
Additionally, it makes it illegal to place a bet when aware that a game has been compromised. Under this proposal, offenses include individuals who conspire or offer bribes to influence a game, those who accept such bribes, and anyone placing bets with knowledge of those bribes.
Daily fantasy sports, previously operating without specific approval or prohibition in Florida, will now receive a formal definition for the first time. According to the proposed bill, these contests must be based on simulated teams, involve multiple players rather than focusing on individual athlete performances, and be restricted from including college athletes.
Entry fees are allowed. This clarification follows a 2024 directive from the Florida Attorney General, which ordered PrizePicks, Underdog, and Betr to cease offering prop-style fantasy contests resembling sports betting. If enacted, operators utilizing single-player prediction models will face new limitations and may need to modify their offerings or withdraw from the market.
Illegal slot-like machines pose a significant concern. These devices have surfaced in pubs, gas stations, and small retailers across the state. Current penalties are limited to misdemeanors, which regulators argue do little to deter operators.
During a recent testimony, Carl Herold, director of law enforcement for the Florida Gaming Control Commission, stated the system requires more robust tools against these machines. He asserted that existing penalties fall short of effective enforcement. HB 189 proposes increased fines, reclassifying certain offenses as felonies, and enhancing law enforcement’s authority to confiscate these illegal machines.
Organizations such as the VFW, American Legion, and Florida Moose Association expressed their concern not about halting enforcement against illegal operators, but rather ensuring that the bill does not unintentionally restrict charitable gaming operations. Rep. Dana Trabulsy, who sponsored the bill, revealed that she is prepared to refine the legislation and collaborate with colleagues and community entities to strengthen it.
The proposal also updates tax language related to racing and clarifies penalties for different types of illegal online gambling. A separate initiative aimed at targeting operators outside the tribal compact was halted earlier this year, leaving HB 189 as the main vehicle for gambling reform.
With the subcommittee’s endorsement, HB 189 is set to advance to the Commerce Committee and the Criminal Justice Subcommittee. During the January session, lawmakers are expected to revisit critical topics, including rules for sports wagering, licensing for daily fantasy sports, enforcement priorities, and the treatment of charitable gaming within the revised structure.