The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA) Executive Director Jeff Duncan has publicly disagreed with a recent Florida bill clamping down on sweepstakes.
The Florida bill, titled HB 591, is an 86-page document that details the legal steps being prepared to criminalize online gambling and reinforce the Seminole Tribe’s exclusive rights on gaming across the state. It has faced immediate pushback from the sweepstakes casino industry, not least from the SGLA director.
“We strongly disagree with the categorization that Social Plus games that utilize sweepstakes promotions have anything in common with illegal offshore gambling operations,” Duncan said in a press release seen by ReadWrite. “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.
“SGLA partner companies operate fully within Florida’s sweepstakes, consumer protection, banking and financial transactions laws, and are 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.
“We look forward to continuing our constructive relationship with Florida’s legislators and remain committed to ensuring consumers have access to legal, and compliant entertainment in the Sunshine State.”
The details of the Florida bill
HB 591 was filed on December 2 by Representative Jacques and would take effect on October 1, 2026. It defines “internet gambling” as any 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 seeks to make operating, conducting, or promoting online gambling under those definitions a third-degree felony. It also explicitly exempts gaming activities conducted under the Seminole Tribe’s compact with the state, affirming the exclusive tribal gambling rights.
The legislation also prohibits gambling advertisements, blocks local governments within Florida from regulating gambling activities, and creates new penalties for trafficking in slot machines. That includes a first-degree felony with a fine of up to $500,000.
Featured image: Flickr, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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