SB 1836 – Gaming Control

• Significantly increases criminal penalties for illegal gambling offenses across multiple statutes, reclassifying many violations from misdemeanors to third-, second-, or first-degree felonies, with enhanced penalties for repeat offenses, proximity to schools/churches/parks, presence of minors or elderly persons, possession of weapons or firearms, and serving alcohol on premises

• Creates a new prohibition on advertising illegal gambling operations (s. 849.105), making it a second-degree felony for any person to publish or disseminate advertisements related to illegal gaming, and for establishment owners to knowingly permit such advertising

• Exempts the Florida Gaming Control Commission from Chapter 255 state contracting provisions and authorizes it to purchase, lease, or acquire property for securing or storing seized slot machines and other contraband

• Adds personnel and representatives of the Florida Gaming Control Commission to the list of officials protected under the false personation statute (s. 843.08), making impersonation a third-degree felony

• Revises bail determination criteria to require courts to consider funds linked to illegal gambling, slot machines, or controlled substances, and to weigh the amount of currency seized in connection with violations of pari-mutuel wagering, slot machine, or gambling statutes (chapters 550, 551, and 849)