Florida to ban Sweeps Casinos
Florida lawmakers have taken the first step towards passing a bill to ban sweepstakes sports betting and casino games in the Sunshine State.
The Senate Regulated Industries Committee this week unanimously approved Sen. Corey Simon‘s (R-3) bill, SB 1404, by an 8-0 vote. Simon’s bill prohibits “internet gambling” and “internet sports betting” outside of the Seminole Tribe, which effectively bans sweepstake gaming in Florida.
The bill has been moved forward to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government.
Florida Cracks Down on Sweepstakes Gaming
Companion bills were introduced in both the Florida House of Representatives and Senate to ban “internet gambling” and “internet sports betting,” last month. If approved, the legislation will make both a third-degree felony. It will not affect the Seminole Tribe’s ability to offer Florida sports betting, however.
Rep. Webster Barnaby (R-29) introduced companion bill HB 953 as well. Barnaby’s legislation has yet to be voted on by a committee.
The bills do not impact the Seminole Tribe’s gaming compact with the Florida government.
The 30-year gaming compact between the tribe and state grants exclusive in person and online sports betting to the Seminole Tribe, as well as the right to offer craps and roulette at its casinos. In exchange, the Seminole Tribe makes annual payments of at least $500 million a year to the state.
The gaming compact runs through 2051. It is likely that the Seminole Tribe will also allow iGaming in Florida at some point as well.
The new legislation defines “internet gambling” as playing or engaging in “any game in which money or other thing of value is awarded based on chance, regardless of any application of skill, that is available on the Internet and accessible on a mobile device, computer terminal, or other similar access device and simulates casino-style gaming, including, but not limited to, slot machines, video poker, and table games.”
The bill also prohibits sweepstakes gaming companies from offering sports betting games as well.
States Taking Action Against Sweepstakes
Florida is one of six states with introduced legislation to ban sweepstakes gaming. Connecticut, New York, Maryland, New Jersey, and Mississippi lawmakers are all considering bills to ban the form of gaming.
The Maryland Senate unanimously approved Sen. Paul D. Corderman’s (R-2) bill, SB 860, to ban online sweepstakes gaming and casinos by a 47-0 vote. It currently sits in the House Ways and Means Committee.
The Mississippi House of Representatives this month approved Senate bill SB 2510 to prohibit online sweepstakes games and sweepstakes casinos, but tacked on language to the bill to also legalize online sports betting in the state. This additional language will make the bill more difficult to pass, and the legislation is currently in a conference committee to see if any common ground remains between lawmakers.
In Connecticut, a group of lawmakers have also banded together to prohibit sweepstakes gaming in the Constitution State.
The Connecticut General Law Committee introduced SB 1235, which prohibits unlicensed participation “in certain real or simulated online casino gaming or sports wagering.”
The bill also prohibits lottery ticket resales and ticket courier services.
In New Jersey, Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese (D-36) recently introduced bill A5447 to ban the sweepstakes model of gambling in the Garden State. However, this comes just two months after the lawmaker introduced a piece of legislation to regulate and tax the form of gaming in New Jersey.
If signed into law, the legislation would prohibit the sweepstakes model of wagering in the state. It’s an interesting turn from Calabrese, who in January submitted legislation to regulate the form of gaming.
Calabrese’s January bill, A5196, designated sweepstakes casinos as iGaming, requiring licensure, oversight, and taxation for sweepstakes operators in the state. It was one of the first bills introduced in the country to regulate the form of online gaming.
Finally, in New York a Senate committee advanced legislation to ban the form of gaming. The New York Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee unanimously approved Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.’s (D-15) bill, SB 5935, which takes aim at online sweepstakes games and prohibits them in the state.
The legislation officially prohibits online sweepstakes games and revenue from illegal markets, plus laying out potential fines for operators or affiliates who offer or accept revenue from the prohibited games.
If the sweepstakes app had a Bible quote and banned pronouns, it might’ve survived. The only safe bets in Florida: being straight, white, conservative, and funneling gambling money to the right tribe.
The laws the Seminole tribe have been able to pass through Florida legislature are all the proof you need that our government is for sale. They also made it so no new gaming licenses can be issued.
Like 4-5 states have already done this, within 10 years the sweeps sites are done imo and the regulated sites will take over. We’ll see
Like 4-5 states have already done this, within 10 years the sweeps sites are done imo and the regulated sites will take over. We’ll see
There are currently 8 states trying to pass laws to ban sweepstakes, who would have thought buying gold coins and receiving free sweeps coins which can be redeemed dollar for dollar to my bank would be scrutinized lmao
Like 4-5 states have already done this, within 10 years the sweeps sites are done imo and the regulated sites will take over. WeÂ’ll see
Issue isnÂ’t banning sweeps. Gambling should be regulated and taxed so the state benefits and consumers are protected. The issue in Florida they create exclusivity for the seminoles so that no one except Seminole tribe can do any sports betting. TheyÂ’ve already done this for slots/craps/blackjack/baccaratt etc
Why do they get to dictate so much **** I never really understood it. Is it purely out of our guilty conscious or something bc how is a state getting held by the balls by a tribe we conquered centuries ago? And how in the world did the idea to give them casinos ever make it thru committee, its such an absurd policy when you think about it
Hey senator, we really want to support your reelection bid, but we want to know you are working on our behalf to right *cough* past injustices.
Looks under the table and let us know if we have your support.
It's not a whole lot different than when the mob controlled gambling.
Seems weird how a company with such deep pockets like VGW can't put up a fight to stop these measures from being passed into law
Seems weird how a company with such deep pockets like VGW can't put up a fight to stop these measures from being passed into law
I don’t think it’s weird at all. VGW is pretty small compared to other major casino holding companies and online poker sites.
And beyond that, the loophole of sweepstakes sites is utterly ridiculous lol. If legalized online is inevitable which is the direction we’ve been trending in, then getting rid of the illegal alternatives is obvious and equally inevitable.
Does that mean Club WPT gold will still be able to operate in the other states banning sweeps such as FL?
I don't think so, it will also end. Many people think Club Wpt Gold is operating in America because they have an American/Canadian customer base but if you read the T&C they are operating under Cyprus law and the office is located in Cyprus lmao!! Just like Global is under Malta law and located in Australia
Florida is just trying to guarantee they get paid by the Tribe as described in the 2021 Gaming Compact.
It's interesting how politics can monopolize "gambling in FL" when they get to directly benefit from it.
Guess the Lotto isn't enough. Perhaps they will give those rights to the tribe also. (joke)
check out this dirty ****
I wanna be a Seminole when I grow up.
Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, and New York all have bills to ban sweepstake sites (just hasn't been enforced yet)...... plus Idaho, Michigan, Montana, and Washington already do
The Mississippi bill has died in the Senate, can mark them off the list as of now
https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/30...
Does this mean Florida will also crack down on DFS (DraftKings) or just focus on the sweepstakes gambling?
Does this mean Florida will also crack down on DFS (DraftKings) or just focus on the sweepstakes gambling?
Just speculating here, but it might be up to the Seminole tribe.
I imagine it's unlikely the state police are going to be busting down doors shutting down operations.
I suspect that the proposed ban just opens up an avenue for the Seminoles to sue competing gaming operators.
Given the language in the posted article that ability would seem to also apply to something like Draftkings.
What is more odd to me is that ClubWptGold is operating in states like Nevada and Global has pulled out of the state. Same business model
looks like a player in the ClubWPTGold thread is having issues logging in from Nevada today... could just be user error, but...
