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Florida lawmakers are one step closer to reshaping the state’s gambling landscape. House Bill 189, a sweeping proposal designed to crack down on illegal gambling and tighten regulatory oversight, has cleared its final House committee. The bill passed the Commerce Committee with an 18-5 vote.
The legislation now heads to the House floor. While a vote has not yet been scheduled, lawmakers face a March 13 deadline—the final day of the 2026 legislative session. Rep. Dana Trabulsy, R-Fort Pierce, is sponsoring the bill, which addresses everything from illegal slot machines to the legal status of fantasy sports.
Defining internet gambling under HB 189
The primary objective of HB 189 is to increase the risks for illicit operators. The bill would elevate certain illegal gambling offenses to third-degree felonies and provide a formal definition for “internet gambling” under Florida law.
This definition covers games played online where prizes are awarded based on chance, even if an element of skill is involved. This specifically includes:
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Video poker
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Electronic table games
The language targets offshore websites and sweepstakes-style platforms operating outside Florida’s regulated system. Additionally, the package introduces new criminal penalties for sports betting corruption, reflecting a push for stronger guardrails within the state’s gambling ecosystem.
Protecting Florida’s $2.5B revenue-sharing deal
Supporters argue HB 189 is essential to protecting Florida’s existing gaming structure. In 2021, the state entered a compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, granting the tribe exclusive rights to sports betting and casino-style gambling. That agreement includes a revenue-sharing deal projected to generate $2.5 billion for the state over five years.
During committee testimony, Trabulsy told colleagues she personally researched illegal gambling operations, jokingly noting she lost about $600 in the process. However, her underlying message was serious: When illegal operators evade taxes and regulations, it creates an uneven playing field. Backers believe stronger enforcement preserves state revenue and the integrity of the compact.
Stricter oversight for the Gaming Control Commission
According to the original story by Yogonet, HB 189 also increases the responsibilities of the Florida Gaming Control Commission. Under the bill, annual reports would require more granular detail regarding:
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Active investigations and complaints
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Criminal referrals
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Seized property and forfeitures
The bill also tightens “revolving door” ethics rules. Commissioners and high-level employees would be barred from taking specific gambling-industry jobs for a set period after leaving public service. Furthermore, the bill strengthens ownership disclosure standards and restores the authority of local governments to pass their own gambling ordinances.
Clear legal standing for fantasy sports
A significant provision of the bill is the formal legalization of fantasy sports contests. Daily fantasy sports have operated in a legal gray area since a previous law was repealed in 2021; HB 189 would provide clear statutory authorization for the industry.
Finally, the bill addresses concerns from veterans’ organizations that operate “amusement games.” The proposal allows these groups to seek certification or a formal determination from the Gaming Control Commission to ensure their machines meet legal standards.
With committee hurdles cleared, HB 189 awaits its turn on the House floor. Its fate will be decided before the session concludes on March 13.
