- Attorney General James Uthmeier wants to “disincentivize people” to gamble on unregulated channels.
- Representatives Dana Trabulsy and Berny Jacques have filed measures in the House to support Uthmeier’s request.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Attorney General James Uthmeier has made it very clear that going after “unlawful gambling” in Florida is a top priority in 2026.
At the center of the target are prediction platforms built around forecast contracts. Likewise, sweepstakes and fantasy-style platforms face similar scrutiny.
“We stand by the Compact with the Seminole Tribe,” said Uthmeier. “It’s been a huge success, and it’s a great way to ensure that Florida taxpayers are getting the benefit of a significant revenue share to the state, moving through an application and gaming apparatus that is highly regulated, safe and free from illicit activities.”
This year, we have taken down several illegal gambling operations totaling millions of dollars.
I’ve encouraged the Legislature to raise the penalty for such dangerous operations, often combined with trafficking and laundering, from a misdemeanor to felony. Let’s hold criminals… pic.twitter.com/SpqzmDjfM5
— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) November 24, 2025
During his statement on legal sports betting, Uthmeier pushed for the legislature to “pursue heightened criminal penalties and increase the current misdemeanor charge to a felony”.
“We’re not doing enough to disincentivize people from engaging in this behavior,” said Uthmeier. “People stand to make tens of millions of dollars through these operations, and getting a misdemeanor is really just a slap on the wrist.”
Legislators Bring Forth Efforts
Representatives Dana Trabulsy and Berny Jacques have both filed measures that bring forth this action. Florida House Bill 189 (Trabulsy) raises penalties for Florida sportsbooks that are not operating under the proper channels. Further, it gives the Florida Gaming Control Commission further authority in enforcement.
A harder stand, Florida House Bill 591, forces sportsbooks to exit or attempt to license through the proper channels. However, affiliates and media are also targets, with further punishment for promoting unlawful gambling.
- HB 189: Targets illegal casinos, online gambling advertisements, fantasy sports, and sweepstakes platforms.
- HB 591: Creates felony crimes for internet gambling, advertising gambling, transporting people to casinos, and more.
The amount of money bet on sports in Florida is likely to be in the billions annually, though sportsbooks are not required to release reports like other states with legal sports betting. Still, the rapid growth of prediction markets has already proven to impact the bottom line.
While market platforms are licensed under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, it becomes an opinion on whether state or federal law supersedes one another.
Uthmeier’s office has sent multiple cease and desist letters and plans to further outline legal boundaries in 2026. Still, that hasn’t stopped the Florida Gaming Control Commission from enforcement. Last year, they seized $14.5 million and more than 6,700 slot machines.
