Florida Legislature Fails to Approve Comprehensive Gambling Reform Bill

Legislation

Florida Legislature Fails to Approve Comprehensive Gambling Reform Bill

Thursday 19 de March 2026 / 12:00

⏱ 1 min read

(Florida).- Sweeping proposal to overhaul slot machine rules and target offshore casinos stalls despite advancing through committees.

Florida Legislature Fails to Approve Comprehensive Gambling Reform Bill

Florida lawmakers have declined to pass HB 189, a wide-ranging gambling reform bill, after it ran out of time at the close of last Friday’s legislative session.

The proposal aimed to significantly reshape the state’s approach to regulating slot machines, particularly those operated by fraternal organizations, while also updating legal language used to address offshore and sweepstakes casinos.

HB 189 was one of four gambling-related measures that failed to advance this session. However, not all efforts stalled—lawmakers successfully approved separate legislation that reclassifies illegal gambling houses as public nuisances, strengthening enforcement mechanisms under existing law.

Sponsored by Republican Representative Dana Trabulsy of Fort Pierce, HB 189 had progressed through three committee hearings. Despite that momentum, ongoing debate over how the bill would redefine and regulate so-called “amusement” slot machines ultimately prevented it from reaching a final vote before the session concluded.

Categoría:Legislation

Tags: Sin tags

País: United States

Región: North America