House Bill 1467 proposes significant amendments to Florida's gambling laws, focusing on the regulation of gambling activities and the ownership of pari-mutuel permits. Key changes include the requirement for the Florida Gaming Control Commission to provide more detailed annual reports, including the number of investigations leading to criminal charges and a summary of complaints received. The bill also introduces stricter employment prohibitions for commissioners and employees, preventing them from engaging with entities involved in regulated activities during and after their tenure. Additionally, it modifies the ownership transfer requirements for pari-mutuel permits, lowering the threshold for commission approval and mandating prior approval for any changes in ownership or interest.

The legislation enhances criminal penalties for various gambling-related offenses, reclassifying certain violations from misdemeanors to felonies, and establishing new definitions and penalties for activities such as trafficking in slot machines and making false statements regarding their legality. It also criminalizes the manipulation of card games and outlines specific conditions for lawful fantasy sports contests. The bill aims to modernize and tighten regulations surrounding gambling in Florida, ensuring integrity and accountability within the gambling sector while addressing emerging issues related to gambling and fraud.

Statutes affected:
H 1467 Filed: 550.002, 550.09512, 550.09515, 838.12, 849.01, 849.02, 849.03, 849.11, 849.13, 849.14, 849.15, 849.23, 895.02