Florida lawmakers are once again weighing whether paid daily fantasy sports (DFS) should operate legally in the state, as a wide-ranging gambling proposal has brought the debate back to the forefront. The recently filed omnibus measure, House Bill 189, reopens a long-running discussion that stalled in the legislature during consecutive sessions in 2024 and 2025.
Broad DFS Authorization Tucked Into Sweeping Gambling Bill
HB 189, introduced by Rep. Dana Trabulsy, primarily focuses on strengthening penalties tied to illegal gambling activities. However, embedded within the bill is a provision that would formally authorize DFS contests under broadly drawn parameters. The language outlines fantasy sports as contests in which players pay an entry fee and assemble a simulated roster for a chance to win cash prizes.
Beyond this general definition, the legislation offers few specifics about how such contests would be regulated. That lack of detail leaves open the possibility for multiple DFS formats to qualify, including both peer-to-peer competitions and against-the-house pick’em games that mimic sports prop betting. The bill’s wide framing appears designed to give regulators substantial flexibility in determining what qualifies as a lawful fantasy contest.
A committee substitute filed on November 10 is scheduled for discussion before the House Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee on November 18. HB 189 must also clear two additional committees before reaching the House floor for a full vote.
Restrictions Target College Sports, Single-Event Outcomes, and Casino Themes
Despite its general language, the measure outlines several firm prohibitions. The bill specifies that winning results in DFS contests cannot derive from factors such as the score or point spread of any team, nor can they rely on the performance of college athletes or minors. Contest outcomes also cannot hinge on a single athlete’s performance in one event or on pari-mutuel results; instead, they must reflect combined outcomes across multiple events.
To maintain a clear distinction between fantasy contests and casino gambling, the proposal bars games from incorporating elements associated with casino-style play. Prohibited features include outcomes dependent on poker or card games and the use of visual themes associated with slot machines, dice, roulette, or lotto.
Entities operating fantasy contests without approval could face felony charges, as HB 189 classifies such activity as a third-degree felony.
Renewed Legislative Attention Follows Enforcement Pressure
Florida’s regulatory posture toward DFS has shifted in recent years. In 2024, the Florida Gaming Control Commission issued cease-and-desist letters to operators PrizePicks, Underdog, and Betr, challenging their against-the-house pick’em offerings. Notably, the regulator did not take similar action against DFS giants FanDuel or DraftKings.
In response to regulatory scrutiny, some companies adjusted their product lines. PrizePicks, for instance, revamped its nationwide approach in August by abandoning against-the-house formats in favor of its peer-to-peer Arena model.
With HB 189 reviving many elements from a previous proposal introduced earlier this year, lawmakers are once again positioned to debate whether Florida should formally regulate the DFS industry. Beyond fantasy sports, the bill touches on several gambling-related issues, including a provision that would classify betting based on insider information as a felony.
Source:
“Florida lawmakers put legalizing DFS back on agenda”, sbcamericas.com. November 14, 2025
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