Even the bill sponsor wants more clarity.
Legislation seeking to crack down on illegal gambling operations is waiting on special order calendars to be heard on the Florida House and Senate floors.
The legislation broadly seeks to increase penalties for illegal gambling activities from a second-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony. It also would create a staggered penalty, increasing to a second-degree felony on a second offense, and a first-degree felony on third and subsequent offenses.
While both the Senate and House bills have received significant opposition from veterans’ groups and small businesses, the House bill was recently amended to provide a path to recourse should someone find themselves unknowingly in violation of the law. Specifically, the House adopted an amendment that would require a cease-and-desist letter, that can be contested, to be sent to establishments in violation before any arrests could be made.
