Bills would extend gaming ban to sweepstakes casinos, internet casino gaming, and online sports betting in the state outside the scope of the Seminole Tribe.
Two bills were introduced in the Florida legislature this week that would expand the state’s ban on gambling. “Sweepstakes casinos,” internet casino gaming, and online sports betting outside its compact with the Seminole Tribe could be prohibited if the legislation passes.
Representative Walter Barnaby filed HB953 24 February. Senator Corey Simon filed his companion bill, S1404, in the upper chamber 26 February. The language in the bills expands the ban to “internet gambling” and “internet sports wagering.” As written, the bills leave room for interpretation; one is that the Seminole Tribe may be looking to expand into internet casino gaming via Hard Rock, and another is that the bill is an effective ban on sweepstakes casinos.
Hard Rock expanded its retail casino suite of games to include Class III gaming — including mobile sp..
