Republican state senator Clay Yarborough has filed a new gambling reform package, called SB 1164, aimed at tightening penalties for illegal gaming in Florida.If passed,...
Florida targets illegal gambling with House Bill 1467
With the introduction of House Bill 1467, Florida lawmakers are fighting to combat illegal gambling.
If passed, without multiple warnings, the bill would immediately charge all those companies running an illegal gambling website. Moreover, employees who knowingly participate could also face criminal charges.
The legislation also takes aim at sports integrity: anyone caught attempting to manipulate the outcome of a game, such as bribing athletes, would face felony charges under the proposed changes.
Jonathan Zachem from the Amusement Machine Association of Florida said:
“We want to be very clear: we support games that are legal in the State of Florida. But if you look at the statute [HB1467] right now, it has elements that say you can go to jail and prison for having legal games… That means these veterans can be charged for having an illegal gambling house. Instead of fixing that language, we’re making this a felony.”
Currently, the bill is on the House floor, and its future remains uncertain.
The Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) has conducted enforcement action against three businesses in northeast Florida and seized more than 230 illegal slot machines.
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