Florida lawmakers have hit the brakes on efforts to regulate sweepstakes casinos and online betting platforms, at least for now. Two big-name bills aimed at cracking down on online gambling just got the boot, as Florida lawmakers wrapped the 2025 session without passing a single new gaming law.
This means that for now, sweepstakes casinos, daily fantasy sports (DFS), and other non-tribal online gaming platforms are safe from the legislative sanctions and restrictions.
And yes, the industry is celebrating.
What Were These Bills Trying to Do?
SB 1404
Introduced by Senator Corey Simon, SB 1404 specifically targets online sweepstakes casinos and non-tribal mobile sports betting. The goal of the bill is basically to ban internet-based gambling not conducted under Florida’s exclusive gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe, which runs the state’s Hard Rock casinos.
In plain terms? It looked like a move to make Hard Rock the only game in town.
SB 1404 didn’t just set boundaries, it brought the hammer. It proposed making “unauthorized” online gambling a third-degree felony, and defined gambling so broadly it included just about any game of chance played online for money or “other thing of value.”
After bouncing between Senate committees, the bill hit a dead end when the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government declined to move it forward. That decision effectively killed the measure for this session, unless revived by special order, and that remains unlikely for now.
HB 1467
Running parallel in the House was HB 1467, put forward by Rep. John Snyder. This bill proposed criminal penalties for unregulated sports betting platforms and aimed to formally regulate Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS), which has been operating in a legal gray area in Florida, for a while now.
It also introduced post-employment restrictions on former Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) members, preventing them from joining sports betting or DFS companies for two years after leaving office.
Despite moving through several committees, the bill ran out of steam in the Commerce Committee, where a barrage of late-stage amendments muddied the waters. Some of these proposed changes included:
- Expanding criminal penalties for not just illegal gambling operators but potentially even advertisers
- Broadening the definition of “online gambling” to include gray-area platforms like sweepstakes and fantasy sports
- Tightening lobbying restrictions, including a longer “cooling-off” period for former Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) members
These additions raised serious red flags. Legal analysts warned the changes could over-criminalize fairly common activities like fantasy contests or promotional giveaways, and this could put legitimate businesses at risk.
As the bill became increasingly bloated and unclear, support began to erode. Lawmakers who were initially on board started backing off, worried that the revised version went too far and lacked clarity. That hesitation ultimately left the bill dead in the water.
Industry Response: “A Win for Common Sense”
Operators didn’t just sigh in relief, they broke out the confetti. The Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA), which represents sweepstakes and digital gaming platforms, came out swinging with this statement:
“The defeat of these bills continues a clear national trend. Lawmakers across the country are rejecting these anti-innovation, anti-business efforts that attempt to dictate what games American adults can play on their phones.”
And they didn’t stop there.
“This is a huge win, not just for the industry, but for every Floridian who values economic freedom and digital innovation.”
According to the SPGA, these bills weren’t just about regulation—they were “broad anti-sweepstakes bills” that could have “criminalized free-to-play digital entertainment, recklessly expanded government control over lawful consumer activity, and needlessly restricted business and innovation.”
So… What Happens Now?
Well, the Florida legislative session is technically being extended to June 6, but lawmakers already decided gambling won’t be on the table. So, unless Gov. Ron DeSantis calls a special session (he hasn’t said a word so far), these bills are dead for 2025.
That means:
- Sweepstakes casinos are still running
- DFS platforms are still unregulated but untouched
- Hard Rock exclusivity is definitely not happening yet
It’s a temporary breather, sure. But it shows that the appetite to outlaw sweepstakes and rein in non-tribal betting just wasn’t there this year.
Why Should You Care?
If you’re a player, this means more options, more freedom, and no surprise felony charges for playing your favorite games. If you’re in the industry, it’s a sign that states like Florida might not be ready to hand full control over to tribal casinos, at least not without a fight.
And if you’re wondering whether this is just a Florida thing, no it isn’t. SPGA pointed out similar anti-sweepstakes bills failed recently in Arkansas, Maryland, and Mississippi, too. Voters and lawmakers are starting to push back on overregulation.
Final Thoughts
For 2025, the sweepstakes saga in Florida ends not with a bang, but with a shrug and a quiet retreat. No bans. No arrests. Just two bills that couldn’t get the traction they needed.
But don’t get too comfy. These issues aren’t going anywhere, and the next legislative cycle could bring fresh battles.
But until then? Its play on.
Blaise Luis
