The Florida House Commerce Committee voted 18–5 on Feb. 10 to advance House Bill 189 to the full chamber, moving forward a measure that would strengthen gambling enforcement while redefining parts of the state’s regulatory framework. House leaders have not scheduled a floor vote. The legislative session is set to end March 13, leaving a limited window for final action. HB 189, sponsored by Dana Trabulsy, R-Fort Pierce, would elevate certain illegal gambling offenses—particularly those tied to slot-style machines—to third-degree felonies.

Trabulsy has argued that current misdemeanor penalties have failed to deter repeat operators, with businesses reopening after paying fines. During committee debate, she said she lost roughly $600 while researching the issue firsthand, describing the existing system as ineffective. Supporters framed the enhanced penalties as a corrective step to close enforcement gaps and reduce what they view as a persistent underground market.

• Illegal gambling penalties raised – HB 189 would upgrade certain slot-style offenses to third-degree felonies to deter repeat operators.

• Daily fantasy sports codified – The bill clarifies DFS rules, prohibiting contests tied to single athletes or youth sports.

• Strengthened oversight and local authority – Florida Gaming Control Commission ethics tightened, and local governments gain more regulatory control.

Protecting the Seminole compact

The proposal is also linked to the state’s 2021 gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Under that agreement, the tribe committed to paying the state $2.5 billion over five years in exchange for expanded gaming rights. Backers of HB 189 contend that unregulated gambling operations undermine the compact by creating competition outside the legal framework and diverting potential tax revenue. Trabulsy told lawmakers that stronger enforcement would help preserve the financial and legal stability of the agreement.

In addition to enforcement changes, the bill clarifies the legal status of online gambling activities and formally codifies daily fantasy sports (DFS) in Florida law. HB 189 defines a fantasy sports contest as a paid-entry competition in which participants manage simulated teams of professional athletes. The bill draws explicit boundaries between DFS and traditional sports betting. Under the proposal:

• Outcomes cannot be based on team scores or point spreads.
• Results cannot hinge on the performance of a single athlete in a single event.
• Contests involving collegiate, high school, or youth sports are prohibited.

The restrictions are designed to preserve the distinction between skill-based fantasy competitions and wagering on sporting events, an issue that has drawn scrutiny in other states. The measure also introduces changes to the Florida Gaming Control Commission. HB 189 would tighten ethics rules for commissioners, including limits on appointments for individuals with gambling interests and restrictions on post-employment lobbying.

In a separate provision, the bill restores some authority to local governments to enact ordinances addressing gambling within their jurisdictions. It also creates a certification pathway for veterans organizations offering “amusement games,” providing a clearer compliance route for charitable fundraising activities that have often operated in a legal gray area.

HB 189 aims to close enforcement gaps, protect Florida’s gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe, and provide clearer rules for online gambling and fantasy sports

Next steps

With committee approval secured, HB 189 now awaits consideration by the full House. The bill’s prospects will depend in part on the legislative calendar, as the session’s March 13 adjournment date narrows the timeframe for debate and passage. If enacted, the measure would mark a significant recalibration of Florida’s gambling enforcement strategy, combining stricter penalties with clearer definitions and expanded oversight.