- A sweeping piece of Florida legislation hopes to legalize daily fantasy sports contests, prohibit match fixing, set penalties for illegal slot machines
- If approved, daily fantasy sports contests will be regulated and taxed in the state
- Daily fantasy sports contests currently operate in a gray market in Florida
Florida legislators are yet again exploring the idea of bringing daily fantasy sports contests out of the gray and into the light.
Rep. Dana Trabulsy’s (R-81) bill, HB 189, is seeking to legalize daily fantasy sports contests in the Sunshine State. Florida lawmakers have explored the idea of regulating daily fantasy sports contests by bringing them out of the unregulated and untaxed gray market for the last several years.
If approved, Trabulsy’s bill will also set criminal penalties for engaging in match fixing and housing illegal slot machines.
Daily Fantasy Sports Are In Gray Market
Daily fantasy sports contests are currently available in Florida, but operate in what is considered a gray market. The Florida Gaming Control Commission notes on its website that daily fantasy sports are “probably not” legal in the state unless placed through a sportsbook or platform operated by the Seminole Tribe.
Despite the shaky legality of the games, operators still offer them throughout the state.
Trabulsy’s bill was unanimously adopted without objection by a 13-0 vote in the House Industries and Professional Activities Subcommittee. The bill will have to be adopted by one more committee before potentially being discussed on the House floor.
The piece of legislation officially seeks to define daily fantasy sports contests as “a contest in which a participant pays an entry fee and manages a fantasy or simulation sports team composed of athletes from a professional sports organization with the opportunity to win a cash prize. The term includes a simulation sports game.”
To be considered a daily fantasy sports contest, the bill requires contests feature the following:
- Prize and awards for winning participants are established and disclosed prior to entry
- All winning outcomes reflect the relative knowledge and skill of the participant
- All winning outcomes are determined predominantly by accumulated statistical results of the performance of more than one individual
The bill prohibits daily fantasy sports contests based on the score, point spread, or performance of a team or combination of teams. Additionally, contests can not be based on the outcome of a game of poker or other card game, feature participants in collegiate or high school sporting events, showcase casino graphics or titles depicting slot machines, dice, craps, or other casino games.
Against the house contests, such as those featured by PrizePicks, Betr, and Underdog in the state prior to a round of cease-and-desist notices in 2024, will not be allowed. Peer-to-peer contests will be allowed under the legislation.
Match Fixing Penalties Defined
Trabulsy’s bill also sets a criminal penalty for athletes, coaches, and anyone officially employed by a team who is found to be engaging in match fixing or providing non-public information to outsiders for the purpose of sports betting or gambling.
Any athletes, coach, employee, manager, umpire, referee or judge of a professional sports, match, race, or event found to be accepting or providing bribes to sway the outcome of an event will be charged with a third-degree felony.
Any individual placing bets with inside information or knowledge of a sporting event where the outcomes has been prearranged or predetermined could also be charged with a third-degree felony if convicted.
The bill also sets criminal penalties for housing and making available illegal slot machines in the state.
Robert is an expert on sports betting in the United States, specifically the legalization process and regulation surrounding the industry.
