Down in the Sunshine State, a state organization is aiming to help mitigate the negative effects of overgambling in the area. Per a recent report, the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) is looking for a partner to help develop a program to prevent compulsive and addictive gambling in the Sunshine State. Earlier this month, the FGCC issued an invitation to Negotiate (ITN), a competitive solicitation process that asks vendors to offer recommendations to the gaming regulatory as to how it might best achieve limiting gambling harms. Additionally, the report notes, that the gaming agency is seeking input on how to go about crafting responsible gaming protocols that companies engaged in the state’s gaming industry will need to include in their advertising materials. The FGCC additionally wants to create an educational and awareness campaign enlightening Floridians about their legal gambling options.
In this report, SBS will be going over what to look for from the latest gaming news coming from the Sunshine State along with more notes and information regarding Florida wagering.
Also noted in the article, the program is also geared at exploring the possible drawbacks of participating, and how to determine what is and isn’t legal gambling.
“As the landscape of legal gaming and sports betting evolves in Florida, as well as illegal gambling facilities and sites, we recognize the need to have adaptable solutions and expansive options as part of our Compulsive or Addictive Gambling Prevention Program,” said Lou Trombetta, executive director of the Florida Gaming Control Commission. “This process will ensure that Floridians can benefit from innovative and comprehensive options and that the selected vendor is able to help FGCC provide resources that reach all demographics.”
Noted in the article, the FGCC is a five-member regulatory body that governs parimutuel wagering, cardrooms, and casino and jai alai slot facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The agency is additionally responsible for the oversight of tribal compacts. The FGCC does not regulate the Florida Lottery.
Per the same article, the Seminole Tribe maintains a monopoly on slot machines and most house-banked table games outside the two counties mentioned where slots are allowed. The tribe, through its revised 2021 Class III gaming compact negotiated with Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), added the exclusive rights to sports betting, both in-person and online. Along with sports betting, the 2021 compact authorized roulette and craps at the Seminoles’ six brick-and-mortar tribal casinos. As a result, gambling is more widespread in Florida than ever before.
“While many Floridians and victors enjoy legal gaming and sports betting, offering robust resources and valuable services to those who may find themselves impulsively participating in these activities is highly important,” added Julie Brown, vice chair of the FGCC. “My fellow commissioners and I look forward to the results of this process and providing progressive resources and scalable services in Florida that will have a clear impact.”
The FGCC initiative to establish a program to fight compulsive and addictive gambling comes after a prominent study found Florida to be lacking in responsible gaming standards. Last month, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and Vixio Regulatory Intelligence released a summary of findings on how legal sports betting states are living up to the NCPG’s Internet Responsible Gambling Standards. The study ranked Florida as among the least-compliant sports gambling states.
Vixio researchers found that the Seminoles’ 2021 compact does not include a policy commitment to responsible gaming. The revenue-sharing agreement also does not mandate the tribe to train staff to promote responsible play. Additionally, as noted in the article, the compact does require the tribe to make an annual donation of at least $250K to the research, education, and treatment of gambling-related harm.
In other Florida gaming news, a national report said that two concealed devices made with fireworks were found at the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa in Florida. This forced the Seminole police and the FBI to investigate and evacuate the casino twice as a bomb squad handled the devices. Per the report, a “crude concealed device with fireworks components” was discovered at the casino shortly before midnight Sunday night and quickly deactivated with support from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Disposal Team, the Seminole Police Department said in a statement. Additionally, the device was discovered in a men’s room adjacent to the casino, and part of the building was immediately evacuated. The casino then reopened about 3 a.m. Monday after the device was deactivated and removed.
After you are all dialed in regards to the latest gaming news coming from the Sunshine State, make sure to check out the amazing array of information available for you at SBS. Of course, for additional insights on the topic covered here, make sure to check out the Florida sports betting guide which covers all of the latest updates coming from the Sunshine State and the area. Conversely, for those on the go, the best betting apps rundown is a must-bookmark page. Here you can learn more about the nuances of mobile betting and how you can eligibly stay on top of the action while on the go. Finally, if you are interested in diversifying your payment options, look no further than the payment methods breakdown which covers all kinds of options from crypto to more traditional banking routes.
About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football and basketball across the country. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones. CURRENTLY Business Development and freelance sports writing RESIDES IN Reno, NV EDUCATION University of Nevada BS and MBA EXPERTISE -Sports writing proficiency in: NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and some motor sports -Topical news -Promotional and marketing ideas/updates -Business development Summary Chris Boline serves in a business development sales capacity as his day job. He has previously held sales/marketing positions with The Applied Companies (TAC), KTVN 2 News and the NBA G League’s Reno Bighorns, affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. He is a Reno native and is a member of various community boards including the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET and the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA). Chris graduated from the University of Nevada in 2015 with a bachelors in management and economics and also earned his MBA from Nevada in 2023. More about Chris: Past president of the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA) 2022-23 Two-time honoree for University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year (Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, 2017 & COBAA, 2021) 2021 NCET award for Professional Services Organization of the Year with TAC Northern Nevada Human Resources Association 2020 Best Places to Work-Northern Nevada, Second Place with TAC 2016-17 Reno Bighorns MVP from the Sacramento Kings The Nevada Sagebrush editor-in-chief 2013-15 Associated Collegiate Press 2015 Four-year Non-daily Newspaper Pacemaker honoree University of Nevada, Reno College of Business Dean's List honoree (5x) from 2011-2015 Nevada Press Association award for Best Sports Column – Community in 2015 Education
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