A bill that would increase penalties for operating and advertising unlawful gambling venues and illegal slots recently passed the Florida House Appropriations Committee and will move to the House Judiciary Committee.
State Rep. Michelle Salzman, the sponsor of HB 189, said the bill addresses the proliferation of adult arcades and internet cafes, and the lack of consumer protection on illegal, unregulated gambling machines, according to Florida Politics.
Specifically, under the legislation, the penalty for operating a gambling house would increase from a second-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony. The bill also sets penalties for dealing in slot machines and directs fines collected to the Parimutuel Wagering Trust Fund to support the Florida Gaming Control Commission’s enforcement efforts.
Although the bill passed the committee, several members expressed concerns. State Reps. Dan Daley and Mike Gottlieb, for example, said its language was too broad and could trap unsuspecting individuals. State Rep. Patricia Williams also expressed concerns about unintended consequences of the measure.
Jonathan Zachem, representing the amusement machine industry, said under the measure, managers unaware of gaming violations could put a strain on the criminal justice system.
