Related Video: Tampa Hard Rock Casino Debuts New Games Including In-Person Sports Betting
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — New regulations for fantasy sports betting are being considered in Florida after a bill passed a House committee Thursday.
The bill, named the “Fantasy Sports Contests and Entertainment Act,” would prohibit platforms from offering bets on sporting events or offer competitive fantasy games, and would prohibit “slot machine-like symbols, It bans casino advertisements that feature images such as “cards, 120 dice, and craps.” Roulette or lottery. ”
You cannot bet on the score of sporting events, point spreads, or the statistical performance of teams or individual athletes. This extends to card games such as poker and college, high school, and youth sporting events.
The new regulations only affect fantasy sports games with payouts of $1,500 or more per season or $10,000 or more per year. Players must be informed of the prize amount before the match and must be over 21 years old to participate.
The bill was approved 7-1 by the House Commerce Committee and would go into effect July 1 if fully approved by the Florida Legislature.
The Seminole Tribe of Florida declined to comment when asked for a statement regarding the regulations.
Sports betting in Florida has had a checkered history, especially online. In April 2021, Governor DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe of Florida agreed to an updated 30-year gaming agreement to bring online sports betting to Florida.
Shortly after, Magic City Casino and Bonita Springs Poker Room sued the U.S. Department of the Interior for approval of the agreement, claiming it would harm their business and violate federal law. A federal judge subsequently blocked gaming in the state because the deal violated federal law, later calling the decision erroneous.
In November 2023, the Florida Supreme Court refused to block sports betting at the request of West Flag Associates amid continuing legal challenges. The return of sports betting continues with the launch of the Seminole Tribe's mobile sports betting app, the launch of new in-person betting games at Tampa Hard Rock Casino, and the first time Florida residents can participate in Super Bowl betting. Brought.
