The Senate Regulated Industries Committee unanimously advanced a measure that seeks to increase penalties for individuals or organizations involved in illegal gambling in the state of Florida.

Tallahassee Republican Sen. Corey Simon presented the bill (SB 1404) and explained that the legislation was a result of the violent and often organized crime associated with illegal gambling houses that are steadily on the increase.

“Illegal gambling in Florida is a growing crisis. Illegal gambling operations are spreading across Florida, exploiting weak penalties to operate with little fear of consequences,” Simon said. “Arcades with blacked-out windows are multiplying, run by criminal organizations that treat minor fines as cost of doing business. The Florida Gaming Commission has received thousands of complaints that this is just the tip of the iceberg.”

Murder, robbery and human trafficking are also heavily associated with illegal gambling houses, and according to Simon, these establishments also take money away from everyday Floridians.

“These illegal gambling businesses scam patrons with no oversight, rig machines and zero consumer protections,” Simon said. “They evade taxes while legal gambling facilities contribute millions to education. Worse, these establishments attract violent and organized crime, such as murder, robbery, drugs and human trafficking.”

The bill would make it a third-degree felony to operate a gambling house or mislead the public about the legality of gaming. It would be a second-degree felony for running an illegal slot business or possessing more than five machines, and a first-degree felony for trafficking illegal slot machines, and possible fines up to $500,000.

Local governments would also be explicitly banned from legalizing gambling activities that are illegal under state law.

“Without more substantial penalties, illegal gambling will continue to spread, syphoning money from Floridians, and fueling organized crime,” Simon said.

Committee Chair Jennifer Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican, had an amendment adopted that allowed veteran organizations to check the machines they have are in compliance with Florida Gaming Commission rules.

“This amendment allows a veterans organization to petition the Gaming Commission for a declaratory judgement on whether a machine they currently operate or one which they will purchase is in compliance,” Bradley said. “It provides that the Commission shall issue such declaratory statement within 60 days.”

Sarasota Republican Sen. Joe Gruters also had an amendment adopted that clarified limits on future employment for commissioners and staff and added language defining fantasy sports.

“This amendment seeks to close a loophole in our statutory ethics requirements of the Gaming Commission,” Gruters said. “The amendment clarifies that the Commissioners and staff cannot have employment with any regulated entities under the Commission for at least two years prior or following their employment with the Commission. The language includes a definition of fantasy sports that is taken directly from the compact with the Seminole tribe, so that the term can be referenced in a revolving door prohibition.”

Jack Campbell, President of the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, spoke in support of the bill, particularly the increase in penalties.

“We’ve been addressing these issues and the violent crime that was discussed by the sponsor, “Campbell said. “Prosecutors recognize that we need to make this a felony.”

Campbell pointed out that current law doesn’t allow prosecutors to go after the organizations behind illegal gambling houses.

“There’s a tremendous amount of money that’s moving out,” Campbell said. “Right now, with the interventions that we can do, we’re only able to arrest the people that are on scene, we need to be able to do search warrants to follow the money, to find out what underlying organizations are behind it. So, on behalf of state prosecutors, we’re in support of this.”

Acting Executive Director of the Florida Gaming Control Commission Ross Marshman, supported the bill and thanked Simon, Bradley and Gruters for addressing the issue.

“I would like to thank Senator Simon for carrying this bill and addressing this serious issue,” Marshman said.

“I would also like to thank Chair Bradley, for providing an amendment that would provide additional clarity, that is something the Commission wants to give to any stakeholder that is concerned about whether or not their machines would run afoul of these laws. We also appreciate Sen. Gruters with your amendment, bringing up the issue of fantasy sports and making sure that the integrity of the Commission as a regulator, is beyond reproach.”

The bill will now go to the Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Appropriations Committee.

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Mayor Donna Deegan believes the “Jacksonville Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act” is “redundant,” imposing a local prohibition on activity already illegal at the federal and state level.

But the City Council passed what they are calling the strongest such legislation in the country anyway on Tuesday by a 12–5 vote, forcing the Mayor to either sign the legislation, veto it, or do nothing, in what appears to be a potential early flashpoint in her re-election bid in two years.

Should it become law, the bill would make it a “local crime” to be an undocumented immigrant in Duval County. It also contemplates money for 25 fingerprint readers for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to identify and process undocumented immigrants.

Republican Michael Boylan attempted substitute legislation ahead of discussion, imputing “nefarious reasons” and “fearmongering” as being behind the bill. He said state laws sufficed, that the money for the fingerprint readers should come out of Council Contingency, and that the legislation should be a resolution.

Sponsor Kevin Carrico, who is the Vice President of the Council, said that was an unfriendly substitution and urged voting it down, a position echoed by Rory Diamond, who said Boylan’s proposal would “gut” the bill and pave the way for Jacksonville to become a “sanctuary city.”

Matt Carlucci countered in favor of the substitute, saying that he saw “immigrants doing work where regular Americans don’t do work.” He also said Carrico’s bill was “meanspirited” and suggested such legislation complicates his path to being President of the Council next year.

Rahman Johnson introduced a second substitute, which also failed. Boylan then filed a second amendment, to no avail.

Diamond called the question quickly after the failed amendments, and a vote came without further debate.

Sheriff TK Waters and the Fraternal Order of Police back the bill.

“I encourage Mayor Donna Deegan to swiftly sign this important bill into law. The people of Jacksonville deserve nothing less,” Waters said after the bill passed.

Carrico hopes Deegan will put “politics aside and sign this bill into law,” saying the legislation “gives our Sheriff and his officers more tools in the toolbox to keep our community safe from violent criminals who are in our country illegally.”

“Jacksonville is setting the standard for cities across America. We are taking decisive action to ensure our community is safe and we are fully supporting federal and state authorities in enforcing immigration laws. This policy demonstrates our commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the interests of our citizens,” Carrico added.

Whether the Mayor signs or not remains to be seen, per her office, which said “she’s waiting to see what it looks like” on Tuesday afternoon.

That question has been resolved.

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