A new omnibus gambling bill in Florida proposes legalizing paid daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests under a broad-strokes model.
One of the proposals in Rep. Dana Trabulsy’s House Bill 189, which primarily seeks to impose stronger penalties for illegal gambling in the state, would authorize DFS contests under broad definitions.
The legislation defines fantasy sports as contests in which a participant pays an entry fee and manages a simulated sports team with the opportunity to win a cash prize. Other than that definition, the bill does not offer many specifics, ostensibly laying the table for not only peer-to-peer fantasy but also against-the-house pick’em games to be legalized and regulated.
The committee substitute version of the bill, filed on Nov. 10, will be discussed at a meeting of the Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee on Nov. 18. It is also slated to be heard before two other subcommittees in the House before reaching the full chamber floor.
No Florida college sports allowed
While the bill’s language on DFS is vague, and does not address whether informal fantasy leagues such as those contested among coworkers would fall under the definition, there are some specific restrictions detailed.
The bill’s text notes that it would not allow a winning outcome of a DFS contest to be based on the score, point spread or performance of a team or combination of teams. Contests based on the performance of athletes in college sports or younger-age sports would be prohibited.
A winning outcome must also not be contingent on the single performance of an individual in a single event or a pari-mutuel event; instead, it would have to be based on multiple events grouped together.
HB 189 also seeks to ensure that DFS contests cannot have casino-like elements, as winning outcomes could not be based on poker or other card games and casino themes such as depictions of slot machine-style symbols, cards, dice, roulette or lotto must not be displayed or depicted.
Companies or individuals running unapproved fantasy contests could be charged with a third-degree felony.
DFS legalization returns to the table
The Florida Gaming Control Commission has attempted to control the DFS industry in the past. In 2024, it issued cease-and-desist orders to PrizePicks, Underdog and Betr, calling out their against-the-house pick’em contests, but it has held back from pursuing similar enforcement action against FanDuel and DraftKings.
In the intervening time, some operators have shifted the way they offer DFS. As one notable example, PrizePicks overhauled its nationwide model in August to abandon against-the-house play and switch to its peer-to-peer Arena product.
Past efforts to formally legalize and regulate fizzled out in the legislature in 2024 and in 2025. HB 189 shares many things in common with at least one bill that was introduced earlier this year.
HB 189 addresses numerous other gambling-related topics, including proposing to make betting with the use of insider information a felony crime.
