House Bill 591, sometimes referred to as HB 591, is a proposal that Florida legislators are once more trying to strengthen their control over online gambling with its introduction. The bill has rapidly become one of the main issues in the sweepstakes news as it is aimed at numerous online gaming models that are already beyond the regulation of the Seminole Tribe’s state gaming compact. If passed, the bill would make most forms of internet gambling and online sports betting illegal in Florida unless they are approved under tribal agreements.
The bill defines online gambling in very broad terms, a key point in current sweepstakes news discussions. Any online game that awards money or something of value based on chance would be banned, including games that look like slots, video poker, or table games played on phones or computers.
HB 591 clearly defines internet gambling in broad terms. Under the bill, any online game offering money or something of worth determined by chance would be covered by the prohibition. Among the other digital devices that can be used for games that resemble slots, video poker, or table games are cellphones and PCs. Lawmakers say the aim is to close loopholes in existing law and prevent what they see as uncontrolled or gray market gambling, a worry sometimes emphasized in coverage of sweepstakes news.
One of the strongest parts of the bill is its penalties. Operating, running, or promoting online gambling outside the Seminole compact would be treated as a third-degree felony. Seminole Tribe's gaming products would keep their unique position in the Florida online gaming industry. This measure builds on past bills introduced in 2025 that did not pass but revealed increasing worry among state officials, especially as lottery coverage grabs public interest.
The bill goes far beyond online casinos. It is an 86-page proposal that touches many areas of gambling law. It raises penalties for illegal gambling operations, bans gambling-related ads across all media, and gives the state more power to enforce the rules. With penalties that could go up to $500,000, trafficking 15 or more slot machines would become a first-degree felony. Other offenses, such as operating a gambling house or renting a house for gambling, would also be reclassified under harsher penalties.
HB 591 also aims to create one clear statewide rule. It would stop cities and counties from passing their own gambling laws, which lawmakers say helps avoid confusion. The bill includes strict rules around seized money, where large amounts of cash can be treated as signs of criminal activity. Together with another bill, HB 189, lawmakers see this as a full update to Florida’s gambling laws. These developments are carefully monitored in sweepstakes news since they might change the way promotional gaming works in the state.
The proposal has drawn strong reaction from the sweepstakes casinos and social gaming industry. The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance spoke out against the bill. Its executive director, Jeff Duncan, said sweepstakes-style games should not be grouped with illegal offshore gambling. He argued that Social Plus games use legal sweepstakes promotions and follow Florida rules on consumer protection and payments. This response has been widely shared in sweepstakes news reports.
According to SGLA, many sweepstakes casinos work within existing state laws and serve adult players looking for casual fun. The group believes HB 591 could push legal businesses out of Florida instead of bringing them under clear rules. SGLA has also pointed to the economic side. A study commissioned by the state projected that sweepstakes casinos might attract more than $1 billion in player spending in Florida each year and subsequently generate taxes ranging from $70 million to $80 million if regulated, a point that is often cited in sweepstakes news.
While non tribal operators face pressure, the Seminole Tribe has continued to expand its offerings. Through the Hard Rock Bet platform, the tribe added a Games section that feels like slot play but uses past racing data instead of random results. This keeps the product within the limits of the gaming compact and shows how tribal gaming continues to grow while others face limits.
Among state leaders, support for more severe regulations is growing. About the dangers of unchecked gaming, including consumer damage and lack of monitoring, the Florida Gaming Control Commission has cautioned. Watchers of sweepstakes casinos and industry players both are waiting to see how Florida will mold the future of online and promotional gaming as legislators get ready for debate.
