It appears that some Florida lawmakers are once again trying to make it a crime to wager on sporting events when a bettor knows the fix is in.
- Florida lawmakers are reviving legislation that would make it a felony to place sports bets while knowing the outcome is fixed.
- The proposal, part of a broader, nearly 100-page gambling reform package, also has provisions tied to fantasy sports, horse racing, and gaming oversight.
- Given recent sports betting scandals and legislative scheduling, the bill could move quickly.
Sponsored by Republican Rep. Dana Trabulsy, House Bill 189 could do just that, according to a proposed committee substitute for the legislation that was published on Monday.
Among other things, the proposed bill would make it a third-degree felony to bet on a professional or amateur event "with knowledge that the results … are prearranged or predetermined" due to bribery of the participants. It's already a crime in Florida to bribe athletes to throw a game.
Similar legislation was introduced earlier this year in the Florida legislature, but ran out of time and died. Now, Sunshine State lawmakers look like they plan to try again to curb match-fixing.
Timing is everything
The latest attempt follows more sports betting-related scandal, such as the indictment unsealed over the weekend charging two Major League Baseball pitchers with crimes in connection with an alleged scheme to rig prop bets. It’s possible lawmakers will be more receptive this time around to tweaking Florida sports betting law.
That said, the proposed prohibition on betting with knowledge the fix is in is attached to a lot of other gambling-related provisions. The nearly 100-page committee substitute has measures tied to horse racing, fantasy sports, and gaming regulation overall in the state.
“The bill strengthens penalties for illegal gambling, authorizes the operation of fantasy sports contests, clarifies employee prohibitions governing the Florida Gaming Control Commission, revises reporting requirements related to changes in ownership for pari-mutuel wagering permitholders, and preempts local governments from regulating gaming activities unless expressly provided in Florida law,” a summary of the legislation says.
The bill will be heard next week - a surefire signal the legislation is on a fast track & has gotten the go-ahead from House leadership ... It’s the type of bill that could spark a frenzied lobbying effort from the many players involved in the state’s gambling industry.
— Gary Fineout (@fineout) November 11, 2025
Some of the fantasy-related portions of the bill could cause a stir, according to veteran Florida reporter Gary Fineout, who tweeted on Tuesday that the legislation has “no explicit carveout … for small dollar fantasy leagues” involving groups of friends or coworkers.
“The bill will be heard next week - a surefire signal the legislation is on a fast track & has gotten the go-ahead from House leadership,” Fineout added.
H.B. 189’s substitute, which still has a long way to go before it becomes law, would allow fantasy sports contests to be run in Florida if they meet certain requirements. One would be that the winning outcome cannot be based on "the score, point spread, or performance of a team or combination of teams."
Furthermore, the bill would make it “a third degree felony for an operator or owner of any website, platform, or application to offer fantasy sports contests in violation of this section,” the legislative summary notes.
