New Florida House Bill Introduced Could Dismantle Sweepstakes Casinos

A bill has been filed in Florida by Rep. Berny Jacques to criminalize internet gambling and to uphold the Seminole Tribes' exclusive rights to it in the state for the online market, and the sweepstakes casino industry is pushing back, per Sweepsy.

The bill, House Bill 591, was filed on Dec. 2 for the 2026 legislative session and is defining "Internet gambling as a game “in which money or other thing of value is awarded based on chance, regardless of any application of skill, that is available on the Internet and accessible on a mobile device, computer terminal, or other similar access device and simulates casino-style gaming, including, but not limited to, slot machines, video poker, and table games.”

The bill would also make the following things a third-degree felony: operating, conducting, and/or promoting Internet gambling. 

SGLA Releases Statement

Here's what the SGLA had to say about House Bill 591: 

“We strongly disagree with the categorization that Social Plus games that utilize sweepstakes promotions have anything in common with illegal offshore gambling operations,” said Jeff Duncan, SGLA’s executive director, in a statement. “HB 591 laudably seeks to stop illegal gambling from taking place in the state of Florida but fails to account for how lawful promotional sweepstakes operate in Florida.”

Duncan added that SGLA partners with companies that “operate fully within Florida’s sweepstakes, consumer protection, banking and financial transactions laws” and remain “committed to further regulations to ensure that Social Plus games remain a safe outlet for the millions of Florida adults age 21 and over seeking casual entertainment.”

This comes after the SGLA commissioned Eilers & Krejcik for a report on the sweepstakes/Social Plus industry in Florida. It found that Florida accounts for about 8.5% of the market, which is about $1.04 billion annually. 

Florida Attempted Other Legislation in 2025

Earlier this year, there were bills such as Senate Bill 1404 and House Bill 1467 in Florida, but neither made it out of committee. 

As mentioned, the Seminole Tribe controls gambling in the state under a 2021 compact. With it, the state gets a minimum of $2.5 billion over the first five years. 

According to Daniel Wallach, a sports betting and gaming lawyer, Florida law "already treats sweepstakes-casino models as prohibited gambling under existing statutory and constitutional language."

Thus, it seems unlikely that the state will legalize or regulate these platforms anytime soon, unless voters amend the state's constitution, as Yogonet said. 

This Comes as the NY Decision Looms

Florida is yet another massive state that could have a sweepstakes ban if this bill advances. 

The timing of this bill's introduction comes as New York Governor Kathy Hochul has until Dec. 31 to either sign the sweepstakes ban bill into law that passed earlier this year, veto it, or do nothing, which would constitute a "pocket veto." 

For now, we wait. The 2026 session in Florida begins in March.