Loading chat...
FL H0189
Bill
Status
Introduced
10/17/2023
Primary Sponsor
Judiciary Committee
Click for details
AI Summary
- Increases the penalty for knowingly keeping a gambling house from a second-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony, and adds a "knowingly" mens rea requirement to the offense
- Creates a new first-degree felony for trafficking in more than 15 slot machines or devices, with mandatory fines of $100,000 (15-24 machines), $250,000 (25-49 machines), or $500,000 (50+ machines), deposited into the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund
- Establishes a tiered penalty structure for illegal slot machine possession: first-degree misdemeanor for basic violations, escalating to third-degree felony for managers or those with prior convictions who fail to cease operations within 48 hours of law enforcement notice, and second-degree felony for managers operating 5+ machines or those with two or more prior convictions
- Prohibits for-profit transportation of 5 or more persons to facilitate illegal gambling (first-degree misdemeanor), with enhanced third-degree felony penalties when transporting minors, persons 65+, or 12 or more persons; also prohibits advertisements promoting illegal gambling
- Expressly preempts the regulation of gambling to the state, prohibiting counties and municipalities from enacting local gambling ordinances except as provided by the state constitution, general law, or special law; effective July 1, 2024
Legislative Description
Gaming Control
Last Action
Died on Second Reading Calendar
3/8/2024
Committee Referrals
Judiciary1/31/2024
Appropriations1/22/2024
Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee11/2/2023
Full Bill Text
No bill text available