Online sweepstakes-style games will continue to operate in Florida as lawmakers recently decided against new bans. Two bills, State Senate Bill 1404 and House Bill 1467, which sought to make certain digital promotions and internet games illegal, didn’t make it through before the 2025 legislative session wrapped up.
Gaming association applauds decision
The Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA), known for opposing what it considers overly restrictive policies that hinder new ideas, applauded the move and highlighted a similar pattern in other states. According to the SPGA, lawmakers in Arkansas, Maryland, and Mississippi have also recently rejected comparable anti-gaming bills.
Also read: SPGA highlights legislative wins against sweepstakes bans
What the bills aimed to do
The Florida proposals, with Senator Corey Simon among their backers, intended to outlaw several types of online gaming. These included dual-currency sweepstakes, internet casino-style games, and sports betting operating outside the Seminole Tribe’s gaming agreement. If these bills had passed, players who engaged in particular online games could have been charged with felonies, despite the fact that the games didn’t have conventional betting.
Issues expressed by critics
Critics of the bills complained about various issues. They claimed the bills’ language was too vague and potentially affected well-known promotional marketing campaigns by the likes of McDonald’s and Starbucks. There were also worries about the economic fallout. Critics suggested that such restrictions would limit consumer choices and also scale back legal business operations, potentially deepening the state’s existing budget shortfall.
Also read: What’s stopping a ban on Sweepstakes casinos?
Budget talks take priority, Bills stalled
While Governor Ron DeSantis has the authority to extend the legislative session to reconsider pending proposals, the current extension, lasting until early June, is focused exclusively on budget negotiations. This effectively means SB 1404 and HB 1467 are off the table for this year.
