Florida Lawmakers Double Down on SB 1404, Tighten Grip on Online Casino Expansion
SB 1404 Passed 8-0 in the Florida Senate Regulated Industries Committee
Landslide Victory
On Tuesday, the Florida Senate Regulated Industries Committee voted unanimously to pass Senate Bill 1404 (SB 1404). The bill stops online casino expansion and guarantees the Seminole Tribe’s monopoly on any future iGaming.
With the legislative session in full swing, all eyes now turn to see if this bill makes it to the finish line before April 11.
Monopoly
SB 1404 supporters didn’t waste any time and passed the bill 8-0. Sponsored by Senator Corey Simon, the bill makes any non-Seminole gambling product a second-degree misdemeanor.
Florida has sports betting but only the Seminole Tribe’s Hard Rock Bet is approved. However, they still don’t have a mobile gambling app that allows users to play blackjack for real money.
The Seminole Tribe of Florida is set to discuss a compact deal in 2025 that would allow online casino gaming, per GLI Executive Gabriel Benedik; the Tribe previously removed iGaming provisions from the compact that permitted mobile sports betting
— Ryan Butler (@ButlerBets) December 13, 2024
Critics say this shuts off outside competition and will keep Florida from becoming one of the top online gambling states in the country.
Meanwhile, the Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA), which represents sweepstakes operators across the country, has come out against the bill, citing the economic impact.
“The bills risk depriving Florida of tens of millions of dollars in revenue at a time when the state’s budget deficit is projected to grow to $7 billion in the next three years,” the organization added.
Key Points of SB 1404
SB 1404 introduces gambling regulations that will label all other bet platforms and online sweepstakes casinos as “illegitimate.” Among the main points:
- Illegal Internet Gambling: Makes it a crime to play games of chance (slots, table games, or similar) through any channel other than the Seminole tribe.
- Punishing Operators: Makes it a third-degree felony to run an unlicensed betting casino site, with prison time and big fines.
- Protecting Seminole Rights: This specifically acknowledges the Seminole Tribe’s monopoly, so any future online casino will belong to them, pending negotiations or changes to the gaming compact.
Since May 2021, the compact between the Seminoles and the state has made several casino news as the tribe was given a monopoly on in-person and mobile sports betting in the 3rd most populated state in the US.
According to figures, this has resulted in at least $500 million a year for Florida’s coffers. Projections suggest there could be $2.5 billion in revenue over 5 years.
NEW: Two Florida lawmakers have pre-filed bills to extend FL’s statutory prohibition against gambling to include both “Internet gambling” and “Internet sports wagering.” Another sweepstakes casino ban (maybe more). Punishable as a third-degree felony. pic.twitter.com/raiVPFznd6
— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) February 27, 2025
The Road Ahead
Now that SB 1404 has passed the first committee, it will have to go through more scrutiny before a full chamber vote can happen. The April 11 deadline is looming so Florida lawmakers have to act fast if they want to pass these online gambling regulations.
For now, though, SB 1404’s committee approval means Florida’s path to an online casino market is in the hands of the Seminole Tribe. If the full vote mirrors the committee’s strong approval, Florida may just call a “time-out” on the expansion of iGaming and stick with the status quo on tribal exclusivity.
Comments (0)