Wide-Ranging Gambling Florida Gambling Bill Would Go After Users of Illegal Betting Sites

Wagering on sports at an unregulated sports betting site anywhere in the USA is technically against the law. However, these so-called offshore sites have operated in a grey market situation for years, because no conscious effort has ever been made to put them out of business for US players.

That situation may be about to change in Florida. State Representative Clay Yarborough, a Republican from Jacksonville, has introduced Senate Bill 1164 (SB 1164), which, if passed into law, would make sweeping changes to how gambling is regulated in the Sunshine State.

Among the proposals put forth in the bill he filed on January 6 is making the act of placing wagers at an unregulated sports betting site a misdemeanor. Operators of unregulated sports betting sites who accept wagers from bettors in Florida would be committing a felony.

The bill reads that “(a) person who plays or engages in Internet sports wagering commits, for a first violation, a misdemeanor of the second degree. For a second or subsequent violation, the punishment would be a misdemeanor of the first degree.”

Penalties would be much harsher for those found to be operating illegal sports betting sites that were catering to Florida players.

“A person who operates, conducts, or promotes Internet gambling or Internet sports wagering, or receives in any manner whatsoever any money or other thing of value offered for the purpose of Internet gambling or Internet sports wagering, or who knowingly becomes the custodian or depositary of any money or other thing of value so offered, or who aids, assists, abets, or influences in any manner in any of such acts, all of which are hereby forbidden, commits a felony of the third degree,” the bill reads.

Currently, the only online sports betting that is legal and regulated in Florida is operated through a compact with the Seminole Tribe and is provided by Hard Rock Bet.

How would these laws be enforced in Florida?

While it’s easy to pass legislation against these so-called offshore accounts, enforcing those laws is an entirely different challenge. Since they don’t have a physical presence within the state, making these sites comply with such restrictions is proving to be fruitless.

Several states have issued cease and desist orders to unregulated online sportsbooks. The majority of those sites continue to operate unfettered by this threat.

The interesting twist with Bill SB 1164 is that it would make Florida the first state to propose punishing the users of these sites. There’s never been a precedent for such action anywhere in the USA. Players would be much easier to catch and punish than the operators of illegal unregulated sportsbooks.

Municipalities would also be put on notice

Yarborough’s bill also appears to be taking into account the recent introduction of a municipal sports betting tax in Chicago. Language in the bill would prohibit any such attempt in Florida.

“A county, municipality, or other political subdivision of the state may not enact or enforce any  ordinance or local rule relating to gaming, gambling, lotteries, or any activities … except  as otherwise expressly provided by the State Constitution, general law, or special law.”

If passed, the bill would become law on October 1, 2026.