Bill to Elevate Florida Gambling Penalties Could Be Approved During Special Session

Posted on: March 19, 2026, 11:41h. 

Last updated on: March 19, 2026, 11:41h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • Florida lawmakers could finalize legislation regarding illegal gambling during a special session
  • AG Uthmeier wants first-time offenses for running an illegal gambling house to be a third-degree felony
  • The Florida Gaming Control Commission supports the bill

The Florida Gaming Control Commission and Attorney General James Uthmeier (R) have called on the state legislature to elevate criminal penalties associated with running an illegal gambling business. The Florida House of Representatives and Senate adjourned last Friday without complying.

The Triple Cherry Arcade in Fort Myers is an illegal gambling outfit disguised as an arcade. With operators of such illegal gambling businesses facing only misdemeanor penalties, some state lawmakers say it’s time to increase such gambling convictions to felonies. (Image: Google Maps)

Currently, operators of an unlawful slots business face only misdemeanor consequences. The law, state gaming regulators and Uthmeier say, does little to discourage repeat offenders.

This isn’t bingo or Uno at the dining room table. These are unlawful sites. They not only suck revenue out of the economy, out of our state, but facilitate crime,” Uthmeier said last month following a raid.

Senate Bill 1580, authored by Sen. Jonathan Martin (R-Lee), would raise a first-time offense for keeping a gambling house from a second-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony. A third-degree felony conviction in Florida carries a possible imprisonment of five years, five years of probation, and $5,000 in fines.

SB1580 passed the Florida Senate on March 6 with a unanimous vote. The statute cleared the House on March 11, but only after the bill was amended. The legislation was returned to the upper chamber, but the changes were not approved before the legislature adjourned on March 13.

Florida Gambling Houses 

Uthmeier is only in his second year as Florida attorney general. He was appointed to the role by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) after Ashley Moody succeeded Marco Rubio in the US Senate.

Uthmeier has raised awareness of the Sunshine State’s vast illegal gambling problem. Countless retail strip malls have illegal gambling businesses masquerading as “arcades.” The storefronts often have blacked-out windows and locked doors where customers must be buzzed in.

The controversial businesses claim they offer arcade games where players purchase tokens to play and can redeem their credits for cash. The machines, however, are nothing more than unregulated slot machines, Uthmeier and the FGCC contend. Many are programmed to pay out at wretched rates, far below the legal slots found inside Seminole and Hard Rock casinos, and parimutuel racinos in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

State police and the FGCC say the problem is perpetual. After law enforcement entities raid and close one arcade, another opens. Facing only misdemeanors, the bad actors have too little risk for the possible great financial reward in running the illegal gambling houses.

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said during the same news conference that the illegal slot machines found inside Florida arcades are “rigged” against consumers, preying on the vulnerable and elderly.

Special Session Solution?

The Florida Legislature has adjourned, but lawmakers will return to Tallahassee in late April for a redistricting discussion. The session is additionally expected to include talks to place a November ballot referendum before voters, asking them about property taxes.

The special session could also see the Senate and House iron out their differences on SB1580. The variances primarily deal with technical language, including assurances that veterans groups and other nonprofits can continue running small electronic games of chance.