SB 530 Florida Senate · 2026 Regular Session

State Lotteries

Summary
State Lotteries; Revising the powers and duties of the Department of the Lottery; revising the information required to be provided to the department by persons who submit a bid, a proposal, or an offer to negotiate a contract for major procurement; authorizing the Division of Security’s sworn law enforcement officers to purchase and present lottery tickets to a lottery retailer to claim a prize under certain circumstances; prohibiting certain false claims relating to state lottery tickets, etc.
Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Mar 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

S 530 Filed S 530 c1 · 9 edits
MAJOR
This bill updates Florida's lottery laws to clarify definitions for security equipment and procurement, tighten rules on who can run lottery games, and significantly expand security reporting requirements. It also introduces new criminal penalties for retailers who steal tickets from patrons and clarifies that law enforcement officers are protected from these theft charges.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of security oversight by requiring independent audits and broadens the definition of 'major procurement' to include more services. It also adds a new specific prohibition against retailers stealing tickets from customers.
DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'ball machine' to clarify it is a device that mechanically mixes and draws numbered balls for lottery games.

REQUIREMENT

Expanded the definition of 'major procurement' to include security report services and marketing/promotion services exceeding $25,000, broadening the scope of contracts requiring strict vetting.

Added a new rule prohibiting the use of coins or currency in electronic lottery terminals, requiring cashless transactions for digital games.

Added a requirement that lottery drawings using ball machines must be public and witnessed by an independent accountant.

Added a requirement for vendors to disclose all states where they have applied for, received, or been denied gaming licenses.

Added a new requirement that the department must lease all vending machines that dispense online or instant lottery tickets.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a new criminal offense for lottery retailers or employees who knowingly facilitate the theft of a ticket from a patron or customer.

Clarified that sworn law enforcement officers presenting tickets to claim prizes are considered 'patrons' and are exempt from the new theft prohibition.

TIMELINE

Changed the schedule for mandatory security studies from a fixed July 1, 2027 date to a flexible schedule starting after the first full year of sales, with subsequent reports every two years.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 5, 2026

How they voted

370
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 40
Mar 5, 2026
D Democratic11
10 Yea 1
90% Yea
I Independent1
1 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican28
26 Yea 2
92% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
20
Key actions
8
Committee
8
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
CS passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0
upper
Feb 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable by- Fiscal Policy; YEAS 18 NAYS 0
upper
Feb 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
On Committee agenda-- Fiscal Policy, 02/24/26, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable by Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; YEAS 11 NAYS 0
upper
Feb 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government, 02/18/26, 10:30 am, 412 Knott Building
upper
Jan 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Now in Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government
upper
Jan 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
On Committee agenda-- Regulated Industries, 01/27/26, 1:00 pm, 412 Knott Building
upper
Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced
upper
Dec 1, 2025
Committee
Referred to Regulated Industries; Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; Fiscal Policy
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors