Lawmakers in Florida seeking to restrict Sweepstakes Casinos through potential ban legislation
Cracking down on unregulated sweepstakes gambling is heating up across the US, with Florida's lawmakers taking a bold step to ban these sketchy operations. These free-to-play sportsbooks and online casinos are trying to dodge the law by not handing out real cash when someone snags a win.
Back in October, Cali's tribes raised the red flag on the dangers of these games, and the American Gaming Association (AGA) quickly hopped on board, urging state regulators to keep a close eye on things.
In Florida, it's now a felony to dabble in internet gambling outside of the Seminole Tribe's sports betting operations, thanks to a new batch of bills buzzing around the Senate and House. If these bills become law, it'll be a third-degree felony to operate any form of internet gambling outside the Seminole Tribe's territory.
The bills define internet gambling as any situation where something of value is given out based on chance, regardless of any application of skill, that's available on the Internet.
Similar battles are brewing in Mississippi, Connecticut, and Maryland, where legislation is underway to put a stop to sweepstakes gambling.
The Big Player in these Games
The American Gaming Association is generally a fan of regulated gambling, and they might be pushing for laws that protect licensed gambling operations. However, their precise role in these specific state discussions is a little hazy.
On the other hand, tribal authorities often play a significant role in gaming regulation, especially in states where tribes operate casinos. Yet, their part in these sweepstakes discussions is not clearly documented. Nonetheless, they're likely advocating for policies that safeguard their gaming interests and promote tribal sovereignty in gaming regulation.
While the SPGA, another big player in the sweepstakes industry, is advocating against sweeping bans, their influence in the specific role of states like Florida, Mississippi, Connecticut, or Maryland remains unclear.
The American Gaming Association (AGA), a proponent of regulated gambling, seems to be advocating for laws that safeguard licensed gambling operations, although their precise role in the sweepstakes discussions in Florida, Mississippi, Connecticut, and Maryland is unclear. In Florida, the Seminole Tribe, a key player in gaming regulation, is advocating for policies that safeguard their gaming interests and promote tribal sovereignty in gaming regulation, as their sports betting operations are the only legal internet gambling operations outside of which it's now a felony to gamble under new laws. Meanwhile, the SPGA, another major player in the sweepstakes industry, is opposing sweeping bans, but their influence in the specific state discussions remains unclear.
