Florida’s House Criminal Justice Subcommittee voted 13-4 to advance HB 189, which proposes tougher criminal penalties and expanded regulatory authority against illegal gambling. The bill now goes to the Commerce Committee before any potential House floor vote; sponsor Dana Trabulsy said she would consider concerns raised about its scope.
Operators and venues in Florida could face expanded criminal penalties if the bill becomes law.
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Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier urged lawmakers to raise the penalty for illegal gambling operations from a misdemeanour to a felony. He said the change would strengthen prosecution and cited links between such operations and other criminal activity; lawmakers would need to enact the change.
The Florida Gaming Control Commission targeted retail premises it described as illegal gambling establishments. The regulator worked with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol and state alcohol and tobacco officials on searches.
Authorities arrested Boca Raton poker player Devon Shalmi on 8 September over allegations that he ran an illegal sports betting operation. The arrest followed a 13-month undercover investigation by sheriff’s offices in Palm Beach and Broward counties; the alleged operation handled millions of dollars.
Florida law enforcement seized 346 slot machines during joint operations against illegal gambling in August. The operations resulted in 15 arrests and the seizure of $179,717 in cash, while the Division of Gaming Enforcement reported 71 cases.
The FGCC seized 60 slot machines at Uptown Bingo in Cape Coral, Florida. Authorities alleged that the venue presented itself as a lawful bingo operation while offering illegal slots.