Louis Trombetta, the first executive director of Florida’s Gaming Control Commission (GCC), took a firm stance against fantasy sports betting, leading to the shutdown of three emerging companies. However, last year, he resigned—only to resurface as a lobbyist for one of their biggest competitors.
Now, state lawmakers want to prevent such moves in the future.
Republican Rep. John Snyder has introduced HB 1467, a bill aimed at barring Florida’s top gambling regulator from working for any fantasy sports company for two years after leaving office. The proposal comes in response to ethical concerns sparked by Trombetta’s transition to FanDuel, one of the industry’s giants.
“Any time you have a regulator making major industry decisions, they should sit out for a while before jumping back in,” Snyder told the Miami Herald.
Fantasy Sports in Legal Limbo
Beyond tightening lobbying rules, HB 1467 also seeks to formally legalize and regulate fantasy sports in Florida, a market that has long existed in a legal grey area.
That ambiguity blurred further when platforms began offering parlay-style bets, allowing users to wager on multiple game outcomes and player performances. As Florida’s top gaming regulator, Trombetta cracked down, issuing cease-and-desist orders to three platforms—PrizePicks, Underdog, and Betr—for operating outside the state’s agreement with the Seminole Tribe. Violators, he warned, could face jail time.
Notably, no such action was taken against FanDuel or DraftKings, the industry’s two biggest players. While they don’t offer the same parlay-style bets, the GCC never explained why they were exempt from enforcement. Sen. Joe Gruters later stated that Trombetta had assured him similar cease-and-desist orders were forthcoming—but they never arrived.
From Regulator to Lobbyist
In December 2024, Trombetta resigned from the GCC—the same month he accepted a job with FanDuel.
“I’m excited to join FanDuel and help shape the future of this industry in a sustainable way,” he said in a company press release.
FanDuel defended its hiring decision, arguing that because its fantasy sports operations fall outside Florida’s gambling laws, it is not subject to GCC oversight.
What’s Next?
Introduced on March 4, HB 1467 was referred to the Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee the following day, where it now awaits further discussion. If passed, it could significantly alter the post-employment opportunities for Florida’s gambling regulators—and reshape the state’s fantasy sports landscape.
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