DeSantis Signs Bill Protecting FGCC Members

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill protecting personal information about members of the state’s Gaming Control Commission.

The bill (SB 692), which was approved unanimously by the Legislature and signed on June 21 by DeSantis, will shield information such as home addresses, telephone numbers, and birth dates from public records.

Legislators argued that releasing that information “might place the commission’s current or former commissioners and their family members in danger of physical and emotional harm from disgruntled individuals whose businesses or professional practices have come under the scrutiny of the commission. In addition, such personnel may be subject to threats or acts of revenue because of the duties they perform.”

Here’s more on the Florida Gov. signing a shielding bill.

Early Beginnings

DeSantis formed the Florida Gaming Control Commission in 2021, the same year online sports betting began in the Sunshine State. The governor brokered a deal with the Seminole Tribe, the owner of Hard Rock, that November to give them exclusive rights to sports betting for Florida.

One month later, however, a federal judge struck down the agreement, saying it violated state and federal laws. That ruling was finally overturned in June 2023 by the U.S. Court of Appeals, which said the Seminole Tribe should be allowed to offer online betting in the state.

The FGCC now has regulatory control over most gaming in Florida, though the state lottery remains outside its jurisdiction. Be sure to keep that in mind when betting.

Changing Landscape

The gaming landscape continues to undergo significant change in Florida. The latest development came just last week when the U.S. Supreme Court denied an appeal disputing the Seminole Tribe’s control of sports betting in the state. Despite opposition from West Flagler Associates, which owns the Bonita Springs Poker Room, federal courts ruled that the deal between DeSantis and the tribe in 2021 did not violate the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Thus, the Seminole Tribe will remain in control of Florida online sports betting until 2051.

Hard Rock will also be allowed to launch an online casino by 2026.

That ruling prevents competition from sports betting apps such as DraftKings and FanDuel, who have established themselves as leaders in the sports betting industry. While that dwindles the options for bettors, they’ll have more to choose from before long. See Hard Rock.

Florida has already progressed further in the industry than neighboring states such as South Carolina and Georgia. Both still prohibit online sports betting.

Given rapid changes in the industry, more developments can be expected in the coming years. But the stability is a welcomed change in Florida, which has undergone constant legal fights in the gambling news since DeSantis first signed off on sports betting. The Florida Gov. signing a shielding bill is the latest update in this ever-changing market.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Florida Gov. signing a shielding bill.

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