Florida sweepstakes ban fails to move forward
Two proposed bills have been withdrawn from legislative consideration.
US.- A pair of bills that would have amended Florida’s gambling laws have failed to pass before the 2025 legislative session ended. House Bill 1467 and Senate Bill 1404 sought to criminalise sweepstakes gaming operations, making them third-degree felonies.
Senate Bill 1404, introduced by Sen. Corey Simon, opposed the operation of online sweepstakes casinos and other forms of online gambling. The proposed legislation did not affect the Seminole Tribe’s existing sports betting compact, which grants it exclusive control over in-person and online sports wagering in Florida. Simon’s bill successfully moved through two Senate committees, but did not reach a list of eligible bills to be considered during the session extension.
The Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA) celebrated the legislation failures. It argues that the bills would have “criminalised free-to-play digital entertainment.”
