Florida criminal charge
Cardrooms authorized in Florida
Cardrooms authorized is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 849.086. Its classification is not fixed: Florida assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Fla. Stat. § 849.086.
What is the penalty for cardrooms authorized in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Operating a cardroom without a valid license — A person who operates a cardroom without a valid license issued under this section commits this offense.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Operating a cardroom without a valid license — A person who operates a cardroom without a valid license issued under this section commits this offense.; or up to double the pecuniary gain/loss (s. 775.083(1)(f)); statutes may authorize higher (s. 775.083(1)(g))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Licensee or permitholder violation of section provisions — A licensee or permitholder who violates any provision of this section commits this offense.; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Licensee or permitholder violation of section provisions — A licensee or permitholder who violates any provision of this section commits this offense.; or up to double the pecuniary gain/loss (s. 775.083(1)(f)); statutes may authorize higher (s. 775.083(1)(g))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Repeat violation by licensee or permitholder within 3 years — A licensee or permitholder who commits a second or subsequent violation of the same paragraph or subsection within 3 years of a prior conviction for violating that paragraph or subsection commits this offense.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Repeat violation by licensee or permitholder within 3 years — A licensee or permitholder who commits a second or subsequent violation of the same paragraph or subsection within 3 years of a prior conviction for violating that paragraph or subsection commits this offense.; or up to double the pecuniary gain/loss (s. 775.083(1)(f)); statutes may authorize higher (s. 775.083(1)(g))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
Applies to current (2025 Florida Statutes).
How is cardrooms authorized classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating a cardroom without a valid license | Felony of the Third Degree | A person who operates a cardroom without a valid license issued under this section commits this offense. | Fla. Stat. § 849.086(15)(a)1. |
| Licensee or permitholder violation of section provisions | Misdemeanor of the First Degree | A licensee or permitholder who violates any provision of this section commits this offense. | Fla. Stat. § 849.086(15)(a)2. |
| Repeat violation by licensee or permitholder within 3 years | Felony of the Third Degree | A licensee or permitholder who commits a second or subsequent violation of the same paragraph or subsection within 3 years of a prior conviction for violating that paragraph or subsection commits this offense. | Fla. Stat. § 849.086(15)(a)2. |
Common questions about cardrooms authorized in Florida
Is cardrooms authorized a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: cardrooms authorized ranges from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree to a Felony of the Third Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 849.086.
Operating a cardroom without a valid license: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 849.086(15)(a)1.) · Licensee or permitholder violation of section provisions: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 849.086(15)(a)2.) · Repeat violation by licensee or permitholder within 3 years: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 849.086(15)(a)2.)
What are the penalties for cardrooms authorized in Florida?
Penalties for cardrooms authorized in Florida depend on how it is classified — from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree up to a Felony of the Third Degree — with the ranges set by Fla. Stat. § 775.082; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Florida statute covers cardrooms authorized?
Cardrooms authorized is governed by Fla. Stat. § 849.086 (Cardrooms authorized).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.