Sweeping gambling bill HB 189 advances as lawmakers push to modernize Florida’s gaming laws
Florida’s long-awaited effort to modernize its gambling statutes has taken a step forward, with HB 189 clearing its first review before the House Industries and Professional Activities Subcommittee. The nearly 100-page bill, positioned as the most wide-ranging update in years, will return to lawmakers when the legislative session begins in January 2026.
The recent arrest of Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier in an FBI sports betting investigation has intensified calls for stronger safeguards. That case, which raised concerns about match-fixing vulnerabilities, has become a central reference point for lawmakers arguing for more robust protections.
HB 189 seeks to address those gaps by creating a unified structure for enforcement and clarifying what is legal within the state. One of its most detailed sections focuses on sports integrity. The measure introduces a series of new felony charges tied to bribery, fixed results, and conspiracies to alter sporting outcomes.
It also criminalises placing a wager with the knowledge that a game has been manipulated. According to the proposal, offences include anyone who conspires or promises a bribe to influence a game, anyone who accepts such a bribe, and anyone who bets with knowledge of the bribe.
Daily fantasy sports, which have operated without explicit approval or prohibition in Florida, receive a dedicated definition for the first time. Under the bill’s language, contests must rely on simulated teams, must involve multiple players rather than single-athlete performance outcomes, and cannot include college athletes.
Entry fees are permitted. The clarification comes after the Florida Attorney General in 2024 ordered PrizePicks, Underdog, and Betr to stop offering prop-style fantasy contests that resembled sports wagering. If the bill becomes law, operators built on single-player prediction models will face new restrictions and may need to adjust their products or exit the market.
Illegal slot-style machines are among the most pressing concerns. These devices have appeared in pubs, petrol stations, and small retail shops throughout the state. Existing penalties are limited to misdemeanours, which regulators argue do little to deter operators.
During testimony last week, Carl Herold, director of law enforcement for the Florida Gaming Control Commission, said the system needs stronger tools against these machines. He told lawmakers that current penalties are not enough for proper enforcement. HB 189 proposes higher fines, elevating some offences to felonies, and giving law enforcement more authority to seize illegal machines.
Groups including the VFW, American Legion, and Florida Moose Association said their concerns are not about stopping enforcement against illegal operators but ensuring that the measure does not inadvertently restrict charitable fundraising games. Rep. Dana Trabulsy, who filed the bill and led it through the hearing, told members she is prepared to refine the text. She said she is willing to work with colleagues and community groups to make it a stronger bill.
The proposal also updates racing-related tax language and clarifies penalties for various forms of illegal online gambling. A separate measure targeting operators outside the tribal compact was shelved earlier this year, leaving HB 189 as the primary legislative vehicle for gambling reform.
With the subcommittee’s approval, HB 189 now heads to the Commerce Committee and the Criminal Justice Subcommittee. Lawmakers are expected to revisit key issues during the January session, including sports wagering rules, daily fantasy sports licensing, enforcement priorities, and how charitable gaming should be treated under the revised framework.
https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/11/20/116416-sweeping-gambling-bill-hb-189-advances-as-lawmakers-push-to-modernize-floridas-gaming-laws