Florida lawmakers took another step toward a stricter crackdown on sweepstakes casinos and other unregulated online gambling. On February 10, 2026, the House Commerce Committee approved HB 189 on a 19–5 vote, with two abstentions. The bill has already cleared two earlier House subcommittees, and it is now positioned for a full House vote next.
Supporters say the bill modernizes Florida’s gambling laws and helps regulators act faster. Opponents warn the language is broad and could have unintended effects. Either way, the committee vote keeps HB 189 moving in a session where several states are tightening rules around sweepstakes-style gaming.
What the Commerce Committee Just Approved
HB 189 is a wide gambling bill, but its online sections are the reason sweepstakes casinos are paying attention. The bill expands how Florida defines internet gambling and sets clearer penalties for people who run or promote illegal online gambling in the state.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Susan Valdés Trabulsy, has argued the state’s rules have “gaps” that bad actors use to avoid enforcement. The bill is also tied to Florida’s larger push against illegal gambling locations and gaming rooms, including stronger oversight by the Florida Gaming Control Commission.
After the Commerce Committee vote, the bill is no longer just a committee discussion. The next major test is the House floor, where lawmakers can debate it, offer amendments, and vote on final passage.
How HB 189 Targets Sweepstakes Casinos
The key change is the bill’s definition of internet gambling. It describes a game where money or another “thing of value” is awarded based on chance, offered online, accessible on mobile devices, and designed to simulate casino-style games like slots, video poker, and table games.
Supporters say this covers online platforms that act like casinos but do not have state approval. That’s where sweepstakes casinos come in. Many sweepstakes sites use a dual-currency sweeps model, where players can buy or earn coins and then redeem prizes under the site’s rules. Florida lawmakers backing HB 189 argue that, in practice, some of these models look like gambling.
The bill also sets penalties for both sides of the transaction. A first-time user of illegal internet gambling could face a second-degree misdemeanor. Repeat offenses could be treated as first-degree misdemeanors. Operators face steeper consequences: running, conducting, or promoting illegal gambling or covered online gambling would be a third-degree felony, which can bring significant fines and prison time under Florida law.
The bill also includes carve-outs meant to protect legal gambling frameworks Florida already allows. Reporting around the bill notes that Florida’s existing compact-based gaming structure remains in place, and fantasy sports contests are treated differently in the bill’s definitions.
What Happens Next in Florida
The bill is headed toward a full House vote. If it passes the House, it would move to the Florida Senate for review. A separate Senate measure focused on illegal gaming has also been advancing through Senate committees, which suggests there is broader momentum for tougher enforcement this year.
For sweepstakes casino players in Florida, nothing changes immediately. The committee vote does not block any sites today. But if HB 189 keeps moving, many operators may choose to geo-block Florida earlier than required, especially if they believe the new definition increases legal risk.
For operators and affiliates, the biggest issue is clarity. A stronger definition of internet gambling can make it easier for regulators to claim a site is illegal, and the felony-level penalties increase the pressure to exit Florida rather than fight.
The bill lists an effective date of October 1, 2026, if it becomes law. The next update to watch is the House floor calendar—and whether lawmakers narrow or widen the language before the final vote.