Florida Senate - 2025                        COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
       Bill No. SB 1404
       
       
       
       
       
       
                                Ì1855162Î185516                         
       
                              LEGISLATIVE ACTION                        
                    Senate             .             House              
                  Comm: RCS            .                                
                  03/25/2025           .                                
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       The Committee on Regulated Industries (Gruters) recommended the
       following:
       
    1         Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
    2  
    3         Delete lines 100 - 308
    4  and insert:
    5         Section 2. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (2) of
    6  section 16.713, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
    7         16.713 Florida Gaming Control Commission; appointment and
    8  employment restrictions.—
    9         (2) PROHIBITIONS FOR EMPLOYEES AND COMMISSIONERS; PERSONS
   10  INELIGIBLE FOR APPOINTMENT TO AND EMPLOYMENT WITH THE
   11  COMMISSION.—
   12         (a) A person may not, for the 2 years immediately preceding
   13  the date of appointment to or employment with the commission and
   14  while appointed to or employed with the commission:
   15         1. Hold a permit or license issued under chapter 550 or a
   16  license issued under chapter 551 or chapter 849; be an officer,
   17  official, or employee of such permitholder or licensee; or be an
   18  ultimate equitable owner, as defined in s. 550.002(37), of such
   19  permitholder or licensee;
   20         2. Be an officer, official, employee, or other person with
   21  duties or responsibilities relating to a gaming operation owned
   22  by an Indian tribe that has a valid and active compact with the
   23  state; be a contractor or subcontractor of such tribe or an
   24  entity employed, licensed, or contracted by such tribe; or be an
   25  ultimate equitable owner, as defined in s. 550.002(37), of such
   26  entity;
   27         3. Be a registered lobbyist for the executive or
   28  legislative branch, except while a commissioner or employee of
   29  the commission when officially representing the commission or
   30  unless the person registered as a lobbyist for the executive or
   31  legislative branch while employed by a state agency as defined
   32  in s. 110.107 during the normal course of his or her employment
   33  with such agency and he or she has not lobbied on behalf of any
   34  entity other than a state agency during the 2 years immediately
   35  preceding the date of his or her appointment to or employment
   36  with the commission; or
   37         4. Be a bingo game operator or an employee of a bingo game
   38  operator; or
   39         5.Be an employee, associate, owner, or contractor for any
   40  person or entity that conducts or facilitates an activity
   41  regulated, enforced, or investigated by the commission,
   42  including fantasy sports contests and other betting activities.
   43         (b) A person is ineligible for appointment to or employment
   44  with the commission if, within the 2 years immediately preceding
   45  such appointment or employment, he or she violated paragraph (a)
   46  or solicited or accepted employment with, acquired any direct or
   47  indirect interest in, or had any direct or indirect business
   48  association, partnership, or financial relationship with, or is
   49  a relative of:
   50         1. Any person or entity who is an applicant, licensee, or
   51  registrant with the commission; or
   52         2. Any officer, official, employee, or other person with
   53  duties or responsibilities relating to a gaming operation owned
   54  by an Indian tribe that has a valid and active compact with the
   55  state; any contractor or subcontractor of such tribe or an
   56  entity employed, licensed, or contracted by such tribe; or any
   57  ultimate equitable owner, as defined in s. 550.002(37), of such
   58  entity; or
   59         3.Any person or entity that conducts or facilitates an
   60  activity regulated, enforced, or investigated by the commission,
   61  including fantasy sports contests and other betting activities.
   62  
   63  For the purposes of this subsection, the term “relative” means a
   64  spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, grandfather, grandmother,
   65  brother, sister, uncle, aunt, cousin, nephew, niece, father-in
   66  law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law,
   67  sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter,
   68  stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, or half sister.
   69         Section 3. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) and paragraphs
   70  (b) and (c) of subsection (2) of section 16.715, Florida
   71  Statutes, are amended to read:
   72         16.715 Florida Gaming Control Commission standards of
   73  conduct; ex parte communications.—
   74         (1) STANDARDS OF CONDUCT.—
   75         (b)1. A commissioner or employee of the commission may not
   76  accept anything from any business entity that, either directly
   77  or indirectly, owns or controls any person regulated by the
   78  commission or from any business entity that, either directly or
   79  indirectly, is an affiliate or subsidiary of any person
   80  regulated by the commission.
   81         2. A commissioner or an employee may attend conferences,
   82  along with associated meals and events that are generally
   83  available to all conference participants, without payment of any
   84  fees in addition to the conference fee. Additionally, while
   85  attending a conference, a commissioner or an employee may attend
   86  meetings, meals, or events that are not sponsored, in whole or
   87  in part, by any representative of any person regulated by the
   88  commission and that are limited to commissioners or employees
   89  only, committee members, or speakers if the commissioner or
   90  employee is a member of a committee of the association of
   91  regulatory agencies which organized the conference or is a
   92  speaker at the conference. It is not a violation of this
   93  subparagraph for a commissioner or an employee to attend a
   94  conference for which conference participants who are employed by
   95  a person regulated by the commission have paid a higher
   96  conference registration fee than the commissioner or employee,
   97  or to attend a meal or event that is generally available to all
   98  conference participants without payment of any fees in addition
   99  to the conference fee and that is sponsored, in whole or in
  100  part, by a person regulated by the commission.
  101         3. While employed, and for 2 years after service as a
  102  commissioner or for 2 years after employment with the
  103  commission, a commissioner or an employee may not accept any
  104  form of employment with or engage in any business activity with
  105  any business entity that, either directly or indirectly, owns or
  106  controls any person regulated by the commission; any person
  107  regulated by the commission; or any business entity that, either
  108  directly or indirectly, is an affiliate or subsidiary of any
  109  person regulated by the commission; or be an employee,
  110  associate, owner, or contractor for any person or entity that
  111  conducts or facilitates an activity regulated, enforced, or
  112  investigated by the commission, including fantasy sports
  113  contests and other betting activities.
  114         4. While employed, and for 2 years after service as a
  115  commissioner or for 2 years after employment with the
  116  commission, a commissioner, an employee, or a relative living in
  117  the same household as a commissioner or an employee may not have
  118  any financial interest, other than shares in a mutual fund, in
  119  any person regulated by the commission; in any business entity
  120  that, either directly or indirectly, owns or controls any person
  121  regulated by the commission; or in any business entity that,
  122  either directly or indirectly, is an affiliate or a subsidiary
  123  of any person regulated by the commission; or be an employee,
  124  associate, owner, or contractor for any person or entity that
  125  conducts or facilitates an activity regulated, enforced, or
  126  investigated by the commission, including fantasy sports
  127  contests and other betting activities. If a commissioner, an
  128  employee, or a relative living in the same household as a
  129  commissioner or an employee acquires any financial interest
  130  prohibited by this subsection during the commissioner’s term of
  131  office or the employee’s employment with the commission as a
  132  result of events or actions beyond the commissioner’s, the
  133  employee’s, or the relative’s control, he or she shall
  134  immediately sell such financial interest. For the purposes of
  135  this subsection, the term “relative” has the same meaning as in
  136  s. 16.713(2)(b).
  137         5. A commissioner or an employee may not accept anything
  138  from a party in a proceeding currently pending before the
  139  commission.
  140         6. A commissioner may not serve as the representative of
  141  any political party or on any executive committee or other
  142  governing body of a political party; serve as an executive
  143  officer or employee of any political party, committee,
  144  organization, or association; receive remuneration for
  145  activities on behalf of any candidate for public office; engage
  146  on behalf of any candidate for public office in the solicitation
  147  of votes or other activities on behalf of such candidacy; or
  148  become a candidate for election to any public office without
  149  first resigning from office.
  150         7. A commissioner, during his or her term of office, may
  151  not make any public comment regarding the merits of any
  152  proceeding under ss. 120.569 and 120.57 currently pending before
  153  the commission.
  154         8. A commissioner or an employee may not act in an
  155  unprofessional manner at any time during the performance of
  156  official duties.
  157         9. A commissioner or an employee must avoid impropriety in
  158  all activities and must act at all times in a manner that
  159  promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of
  160  the commission.
  161         10. A commissioner or an employee may not directly or
  162  indirectly, through staff or other means, solicit anything of
  163  value from any person regulated by the commission, or from any
  164  business entity that, whether directly or indirectly, is an
  165  affiliate or a subsidiary of any person regulated by the
  166  commission, or from any party appearing in a proceeding
  167  considered by the commission in the last 2 years.
  168         11. A commissioner may not lobby the Governor or any agency
  169  of the state, members or employees of the Legislature, or any
  170  county or municipal government or governmental agency except to
  171  represent the commission in an official capacity.
  172         (2) FORMER COMMISSIONERS AND EMPLOYEES.—
  173         (b) A commissioner, the executive director, or an employee
  174  of the commission may not, for the 2 years immediately following
  175  the date of resignation or termination from the commission:
  176         1. Hold a permit or license issued under chapter 550, or a
  177  license issued under chapter 551 or chapter 849; be an officer,
  178  official, or employee of such permitholder or licensee; or be an
  179  ultimate equitable owner, as defined in s. 550.002(37), of such
  180  permitholder or licensee; or be an employee, associate, owner,
  181  or contractor for any person or entity that conducts or
  182  facilitates an activity regulated, enforced, or investigated by
  183  the commission, including fantasy sports contests and other
  184  betting activities;
  185         2. Accept employment by or compensation from a business
  186  entity that, directly or indirectly, owns or controls a person
  187  regulated by the commission; from a person regulated by the
  188  commission; from a business entity which, directly or
  189  indirectly, is an affiliate or subsidiary of a person regulated
  190  by the commission; or from a business entity or trade
  191  association that has been a party to a commission proceeding
  192  within the 2 years preceding the member’s resignation or
  193  termination of service on the commission; from any person or
  194  entity that conducts or facilitates an activity regulated,
  195  enforced, or investigated by the commission, including fantasy
  196  sports contests and other betting activities; or
  197         3. Be a bingo game operator or an employee of a bingo game
  198  operator.
  199         (c) A person employed by the commission may not, for the 2
  200  years immediately following the date of termination or
  201  resignation from employment with the commission:
  202         1. Hold a permit or license issued under chapter 550, or a
  203  license issued under chapter 551 or chapter 849; be an officer,
  204  official, or employee of such permitholder or licensee; or be an
  205  ultimate equitable owner, as defined in s. 550.002(37), of such
  206  permitholder or licensee; or be an employee, associate, owner,
  207  or contractor for any person or entity that conducts or
  208  facilitates an activity regulated, enforced, or investigated by
  209  the commission, including fantasy sports contests and other
  210  betting activities; or
  211         2. Be a bingo game operator or an employee of a bingo game
  212  operator.
  213         Section 4. Paragraph (i) of subsection (4) of section
  214  551.104, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  215         551.104 License to conduct slot machine gaming.—
  216         (4) As a condition of licensure and to maintain continued
  217  authority for the conduct of slot machine gaming, the slot
  218  machine licensee shall:
  219         (i) Create and file with the commission a written policy
  220  for:
  221         1. Creating opportunities to purchase from vendors in this
  222  state, including minority vendors.
  223         2. Creating opportunities for employment of residents of
  224  this state, including minority residents.
  225         3. Ensuring opportunities for construction services from a
  226  small business as defined in s. 288.703 minority contractors.
  227         4. Ensuring that opportunities for employment are offered
  228  on an equal, nondiscriminatory basis.
  229         5. Training for employees on responsible gaming and working
  230  with a compulsive or addictive gambling prevention program to
  231  further its purposes as provided for in s. 551.118.
  232         6. The implementation of a drug-testing program that
  233  includes, but is not limited to, requiring each employee to sign
  234  an agreement that he or she understands that the slot machine
  235  facility is a drug-free workplace.
  236  
  237  The slot machine licensee shall use the Internet-based job
  238  listing system of the Department of Commerce in advertising
  239  employment opportunities. Each slot machine licensee shall
  240  provide an annual report to the Florida Gaming Control
  241  Commission containing information indicating compliance with
  242  this paragraph in regard to minority persons.
  243         Section 5. Section 838.12, Florida Statutes, is amended, to
  244  read:
  245         838.12 Bribery in athletic contests.—
  246         (1) Whoever gives, promises, offers or conspires to give,
  247  promise or offer, to anyone who participates or expects to
  248  participate in any professional or amateur game, contest, match,
  249  race or sport; or to any umpire, referee, judge or other
  250  official of such game, contest, match, race or sport; or to any
  251  owner, manager, coach or trainer of, or to any relative of, or
  252  to any person having any direct, indirect, remote or possible
  253  connection with, any team, individual, participant or
  254  prospective participant in any such professional or amateur
  255  game, contest, match, race or sport, or the officials aforesaid,
  256  any bribe, money, goods, present, reward or any valuable thing
  257  whatsoever, or any promise, contract or agreement whatsoever,
  258  with intent to influence him or her or them to lose or cause to
  259  be lost any game, contest, match, race or sport, or to limit his
  260  or her or their or any person’s or any team’s margin of victory
  261  in any game, contest, match, race, or sport, or to fix or throw
  262  any game, contest, match, race or sport, commits shall be guilty
  263  of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s.
  264  775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
  265         (2) Any participant or prospective participant in any
  266  professional or amateur game, contest, match, race or sport; or
  267  any umpire, referee, judge or other official of such game,
  268  contest, match, race or sport; or any owner, manager, coach or
  269  trainer of, or any relative of, or any person having any direct,
  270  indirect, remote or possible connection with, any team,
  271  individual, participant or prospective participant in any such
  272  professional or amateur game, contest, match, race or sport, or
  273  the officials aforesaid; who in any way solicits, receives or
  274  accepts, or agrees to receive or accept, or who conspires to
  275  receive or accept, any bribe, money, goods, present, reward or
  276  any valuable thing whatsoever, or any promise, contract or
  277  agreement whatsoever, with intent to lose or cause to be lost
  278  any game, contest, match, race or sport, or to limit his, her,
  279  their or any person’s or any team’s margin of victory in any
  280  game, contest, match, race or sport, or to fix or throw any
  281  game, contest, match, race or sport, commits shall be guilty of
  282  a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s.
  283  775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
  284         (3)A person who stakes, bets, or wagers any money or other
  285  thing of value upon the result of any professional or amateur
  286  game, contest, match, race, or sport with knowledge that the
  287  results of such professional or amateur game, contest, match,
  288  race, or sport are prearranged or predetermined as described in
  289  subsection (1) or subsection (2) commits a felony of the third
  290  degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s.
  291  775.084.
  292         Section 6. Section 843.08, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  293  read:
  294         843.08 False personation.—A person who falsely assumes or
  295  pretends to be a firefighter, a sheriff, an officer of the
  296  Florida Highway Patrol, an officer of the Fish and Wildlife
  297  Conservation Commission, an officer of the Department of
  298  Environmental Protection, an officer of the Department of
  299  Financial Services, any personnel or representative of the
  300  Division of Investigative and Forensic Services, any personnel
  301  or representative of the Florida Gaming Control Commission, an
  302  officer of the Department of Corrections, a correctional
  303  probation officer, a deputy sheriff, a state attorney or an
  304  assistant state attorney, a statewide prosecutor or an assistant
  305  statewide prosecutor, a state attorney investigator, a coroner,
  306  a police officer, a lottery special agent or lottery
  307  investigator, a beverage enforcement agent, a school guardian as
  308  described in s. 30.15(1)(k), a security officer licensed under
  309  chapter 493, any member of the Florida Commission on Offender
  310  Review or any administrative aide or supervisor employed by the
  311  commission, any personnel or representative of the Department of
  312  Law Enforcement, or a federal law enforcement officer as defined
  313  in s. 901.1505, and takes upon himself or herself to act as
  314  such, or to require any other person to aid or assist him or her
  315  in a matter pertaining to the duty of any such officer, commits
  316  a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s.
  317  775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. However, a person who
  318  falsely personates any such officer during the course of the
  319  commission of a felony commits a felony of the second degree,
  320  punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
  321  If the commission of the felony results in the death or personal
  322  injury of another human being, the person commits a felony of
  323  the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s.
  324  775.083, or s. 775.084. In determining whether a defendant has
  325  violated this section, the court or jury may consider any
  326  relevant evidence, including, but not limited to, whether the
  327  defendant used lights in violation of s. 316.2397 or s. 843.081.
  328         Section 7. Section 849.01, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  329  read:
  330         849.01 Keeping gambling houses, etc.—Whoever by herself or
  331  himself, her or his servant, clerk or agent, or in any other
  332  manner has, keeps, exercises or maintains a gaming table or
  333  room, or gaming implements or apparatus, or house, booth, tent,
  334  shelter or other place for the purpose of gaming or gambling or
  335  in any place of which she or he may directly or indirectly have
  336  charge, control or management, either exclusively or with
  337  others, procures, suffers or permits any person to play for
  338  money or other valuable thing at any game whatever, whether
  339  heretofore prohibited or not, commits a felony misdemeanor of
  340  the third second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082,
  341  or s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
  342         Section 8. Section 849.02, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  343  read:
  344         849.02 Agents or employees of keeper of gambling house.—A
  345  person who Whoever acts as servant, clerk, agent, or employee of
  346  any person in the violation of s. 849.01 commits:
  347         (1)For a first offense, a misdemeanor of the first degree,
  348  punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
  349         (2)For a second offense, a felony of the third degree,
  350  punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
  351         (3)For a third or subsequent offense, a felony of the
  352  second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083,
  353  or s. 775.084 shall be punished in the manner and to the extent
  354  therein mentioned.
  355         Section 9. Section 849.03, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  356  read:
  357         849.03 Renting house for gambling purposes.—A person who
  358  Whoever, whether as owner or agent, knowingly rents to another a
  359  house, room, booth, tent, shelter or place for the purpose of
  360  gaming commits:
  361         (1)For a first offense, a felony of the third degree,
  362  punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084
  363  shall be punished in the manner and to the extent mentioned in
  364  s. 849.01.
  365         (2)For a second or subsequent violation, a felony of the
  366  second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083,
  367  or s. 775.084.
  368         Section 10. Section 849.08, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  369  read:
  370         849.08 Gambling.—
  371         (1)As used in this section, the term:
  372         (a)“Internet gambling” means to play or engage in any game
  373  in which money or other thing of value is awarded based on
  374  chance, regardless of any application of skill, that is
  375  available on the Internet and accessible on a mobile device,
  376  computer terminal, or other similar access device and simulates
  377  casino-style gaming, including, but not limited to, slot
  378  machines, video poker, and table games.
  379         (b)“Internet sports wagering” means to stake, bet, or
  380  wager any money or other thing of value upon the result of any
  381  trial or contest of skill, speed, power, or endurance of human
  382  or beast that is available on the Internet and accessible on a
  383  mobile device, computer terminal, or other similar access
  384  device. The term does not include fantasy sports contests as
  385  defined in s. 849.0932.
  386         (2)A person who Whoever plays or engages in Internet
  387  gambling, any game at cards, keno, roulette, faro or other game
  388  of chance, at any place, by any device whatever, for money or
  389  other thing of value, commits shall be guilty of a misdemeanor
  390  of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.
  391  775.083.
  392         (3)A person who plays or engages in Internet sports
  393  wagering commits:
  394         (a)For a first offense, a misdemeanor of the second
  395  degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
  396         (b)For a second or subsequent violation, a misdemeanor of
  397  the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.
  398  775.083.
  399         (4)A person who operates, conducts, or promotes Internet
  400  gambling or Internet sports wagering, or receives in any manner
  401  whatsoever any money or other thing of value offered for the
  402  purpose of Internet gambling or Internet sports wagering, or
  403  whoever knowingly becomes the custodian or depositary of any
  404  money or other thing of value so offered, or whoever aids,
  405  assists, abets, or influences in any manner in any of such acts,
  406  all of which are hereby forbidden, commits a felony of the third
  407  degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s.
  408  775.084.
  409         (5)This section does not apply to participation in, or the
  410  conduct of, any gaming activities authorized under s.
  411  285.710(13) and conducted pursuant to a gaming compact ratified
  412  and approved under s. 285.710(3).
  413         Section 11. Paragraph (e) is added to subsection (12) of
  414  section 849.086, Florida Statutes, to read:
  415         849.086 Cardrooms authorized.—
  416         (12) PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES.—
  417         (e)A person who manipulates or attempts to manipulate the
  418  playing cards, outcome, or payoff of a card game in a licensed
  419  cardroom by physical tampering or by use of any object,
  420  instrument, or device, whether mechanical, electrical, magnetic,
  421  or involving other means, commits a felony of the third degree,
  422  punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
  423         Section 12. Section 849.0932, Florida Statutes, is created
  424  to read:
  425         849.0932 Fantasy sports contests; conditions for conduct.—
  426         (1) As used in this section, the term:
  427         (a)Commission” means the Florida Gaming Control
  428  Commission.
  429         (b)“Confidential information” means information related to
  430  the playing of fantasy sports contests by contest participants
  431  which is obtained solely as a result of a person’s employment
  432  with, or work as an agent of, a contest operator.
  433         (c)“Contest operator” means a person or an entity that
  434  offers fantasy sports contests for a cash prize to members of
  435  the public. The term does not include a noncommercial contest
  436  operator in this state.
  437         (d)“Contest participant” means a person who pays an entry
  438  fee for the ability to participate in a fantasy or simulation
  439  sports game or contest offered by a contest operator or
  440  noncommercial contest operator.
  441         (e)“Entry fee” means the cash or cash equivalent amount
  442  that a person is required to pay to a contest operator or
  443  noncommercial contest operator to participate in a fantasy
  444  sports contest.
  445         (f)“Fantasy sports contest” means a fantasy or simulation
  446  sports game or contest offered by a contest operator or a
  447  noncommercial contest operator in which a contest participant
  448  manages a fantasy or simulation sports team composed of athletes
  449  from a professional sports organization and which meets each of
  450  the following requirements:
  451         1.All prizes and awards offered to winning contest
  452  participants are established and made known to the contest
  453  participants in advance of the game or contest, and their value
  454  is not determined by the number of contest participants or the
  455  amount of any fees paid by those contest participants.
  456         2.All winning outcomes reflect the relative knowledge and
  457  skill of the contest participants and are determined
  458  predominantly by accumulated statistical results of the
  459  performance of individuals, including athletes in the case of
  460  sporting events.
  461         3.No winning outcome is based on the score, point spread,
  462  or any performance or performances of any single actual team or
  463  combination of such teams; solely on any single performance of
  464  an individual athlete or player in a single actual event; on a
  465  pari-mutuel event, as the term “pari-mutuel” is defined in s.
  466  550.002; on a game of poker or other card game; or on the
  467  performances of participants in collegiate, high school, or
  468  youth sporting events.
  469         4.No casino graphics, themes, or titles, including, but
  470  not limited to, depictions of slot machine-style symbols, cards,
  471  dice, craps, roulette, or lotto, are displayed or depicted.
  472         (g)“Noncommercial contest operator” means a natural person
  473  who organizes and conducts a fantasy or simulation sports game
  474  in which contest participants are charged entry fees for the
  475  right to participate; and who collects, maintains, and
  476  distributes such entry fees;
  477         (2) The total entry fees collected, maintained, and
  478  distributed by a noncommercial contest operator for a fantasy
  479  sports contest may not exceed $1,500 per season or a total of
  480  $10,000 per calendar year. All entry fees must be returned to
  481  the contest participants in the form of prizes.
  482         (3)The Florida Gaming Control Commission shall investigate
  483  violations of this section and refer them to the Attorney
  484  General or the state attorney in the circuit in which the
  485  violation occurs. The Attorney General or state attorney may
  486  also institute proceedings to enjoin any person found to be
  487  violating this section.
  488         (4)(a)A violation of this section is punishable by a fine
  489  of $1,000 in addition to civil and criminal penalties.
  490         (b)An operator or owner of any website, platform, or
  491  application that offers fantasy sports contests in violation of
  492  this section is subject to a fine of up to $100,000 per
  493  violation.
  494         (5)(a)A person who willfully and knowingly violates this
  495  section commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as
  496  provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
  497         (b)An operator or an owner of any application, platform,
  498  or website that offers fantasy sports contests in violation of
  499  this section commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as
  500  provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
  501  
  502  ================= T I T L E  A M E N D M E N T ================
  503  And the title is amended as follows:
  504         Delete lines 5 - 27
  505  and insert:
  506         the Florida Gaming Control Commission; amending s.
  507         16.713, F.S.; prohibiting certain employment for a
  508         specified timeframe before or during a person’s
  509         service with the commission; amending s. 16.715, F.S.;
  510         revising standards of conduct for the commission;
  511         prohibiting certain post-employment activities for
  512         former commissioners and employees for a specified
  513         period; amending s. 551.104, F.S.; revising hiring and
  514         procurement policy and reporting requirements for slot
  515         machine gaming licensure; amending s. 838.12, F.S.;
  516         prohibiting betting on athletic contests with
  517         knowledge that the results are prearranged or
  518         predetermined; providing criminal penalties; amending
  519         s. 843.08, F.S.; prohibiting false personation of
  520         personnel of the Florida Gaming Control Commission;
  521         providing criminal penalties; amending s. 849.01,
  522         F.S.; revising criminal penalties for offenses
  523         involving keeping a gambling house; amending s.
  524         849.02, F.S.; increasing criminal penalties for
  525         specified offenses by agents or employees of a keeper
  526         of a gambling house; amending s. 849.03, F.S.;
  527         revising criminal penalties for offenses involving
  528         renting a house for gambling purposes; amending s.
  529         849.08, F.S.; defining the terms “Internet gambling”
  530         and “Internet sports wagering”; prohibiting Internet
  531         gambling and Internet sports wagering and related
  532         offenses; providing criminal penalties; providing an
  533         exception; amending s. 849.086, F.S.; prohibiting
  534         specified actions relating to manipulation of card
  535         games; providing criminal penalties; creating s.
  536         849.0932, F.S.; defining terms; prohibiting entry fees
  537         collected by noncommercial contest operators from
  538         exceeding a specified amount; requiring that all entry
  539         fees be returned to contest participants in the form
  540         of prizes; requiring the Florida Gaming Control
  541         Commission to investigate and refer violations to the
  542         Attorney General or the state attorney in the circuit
  543         in which the violation occurs; authorizing the
  544         Attorney General or the state attorney to institute
  545         proceedings to enjoin persons found to be in violation
  546         of specified provisions of law; providing fines of
  547         specified amounts and civil and criminal penalties for
  548         specified violations; amending