An omnibus bill that would impact multiple facets of gambling in Florida, including hardening penalties for running illegal slot machine operations, Internet gambling sites, and involvement in sports betting corruption, advanced through its third committee in the Florida House on Tuesday to earn a floor vote.
HB 189, sponsored by Fort Pierce Republican Rep. Dana Trabulsy, passed through the Commerce Committee with an 18-5 vote.
A floor vote has not yet been scheduled. The Florida legislative session ends on March 13.
HB 189 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.”
