HB 7053 Summary - Gaming Enforcement

• Creates the Florida Gaming Control Commission within the Department of Legal Affairs as an independent agency with 5 members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate for staggered 4-year terms, with members required by January 1, 2022.

• Establishes strict qualifications and conflict-of-interest restrictions for commissioners and employees, including prohibitions on gaming industry connections for 4-6 years before and 2-6 years after service, with annual ethics training requirements.

• Transfers all gaming regulatory powers from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to the new Gaming Control Commission effective July 1, 2022, including oversight of pari-mutuel wagering, slot machines, cardrooms, and gaming compacts with Indian tribes.

• Expands the Office of Statewide Prosecution authority to investigate and prosecute gaming-related crimes across multiple judicial circuits, including violations of gambling, pari-mutuel, and cardroom laws referred by the new commission.

• Establishes comprehensive standards of conduct and ex parte communication rules for commissioners and employees, with enforcement by the Commission on Ethics and civil penalties up to $5,000 for violations.