A bill to legalize and regulate fantasy sports play in Florida cleared its first Senate review panel on Wednesday.
The Regulated Industries Committee OKād the āFantasy Contest Amusement Actā (SB 832) with only two ānoā votes from Sen.Ā Gwen Margolis, a Miami Democrat, and committee chairmanĀ Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican.
TheĀ bill states thatĀ āfantasy contests ā¦ involve the skill of contest participants and do not constitute gambling.ā
Bradley said he still wasnāt convinced that fantasy sports is a non-gambling āgame of skillā but agreed with bill sponsorĀ JoeĀ NegronĀ that people shouldnāt be criminals for playing.
As Negron, the Stuart Republican slated to be Senate President next year, put it: āI think our laws should reflect the evolution of how our citizens choose to amuse themselves.ā
His bill is partly in response toĀ a 1991 opinionĀ by then-Attorney GeneralĀ Bob ButterworthĀ used by opponents that āoperation of a fantasy sports leagueā violated state gambling law.
The committee adopted a strike-all amendment NegronĀ filed Tuesday, which creates an āOffice of Amusementsā under the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
That office will be able to āconduct investigations and monitor the operation and play of fantasy contests.ā Contest operators will have to payĀ $500,000 for an initial application and $100,000 for a renewal of a license in the state.
Marc Dunbar, lobbyist for The Stronach Group, which operates South Floridaās Gulfstream Park, objected to the measureās lack of criminal penalties for rogue operators who take playersā money and then shut down.
But Negron, an attorney, said anti-fraud laws already on the books will protect players and allow prosecutors to go after bad actors.
That point was driven home byĀ state Sen.Ā Joe Abruzzo, a Boynton Beach Democrat. He told the panel he had called Palm Beach County State AttorneyĀ Dave Aronberg, who confirmed Negronās take.
AĀ House companion (HB 707) also is scheduled to be heard Wednesday by theĀ Finance & Tax Committee.Ā ThatĀ measureĀ cleared theĀ Business and Professions Subcommittee by a 10-3Ā vote two weeks ago.
Florida is among severalĀ states struggling with whether to regulate fantasy sports, and if so, how.Ā Nevada has banned daily fantasy games while other states, including New York, are considering theirĀ legality.
Itās aĀ multibillion-dollar business, attracting nearly 57 million peopleĀ a year in North America alone.
Fantasy websites, such as FanDuel and DraftKings, also are attracting big bucksĀ from venture capitalists and other investors, such as theĀ professional sports leagues.
