Florida Gambling Law Up For Review
In a turn of events that could see either the end of gambling in Florida or the beginning of a new era of high-stakes, high traffic poker tourism, Florida governors are seeking to pass new legislation.
The Senate wants a complete overhaul where the minimum age is lowered and the stakes raised. On the contrary, the House of Representatives want to outlaw all casino card games, leaving only slot machines in their place.
The Florida Senate is trying to pass legislation that will change the gambling and poker landscape in the ‘Sunshine State’ forever. Such are the proposed measures that the state could take its place alongside Vegas and Atlantic City as a card players Mecca.
If the proposals make it through, gone are the $100 maximum no-limit tables, gone are the $500 maximum tournament buy-in. In their place will be increased buy-ins, increased table limits, thousands more slot machines, more game choice and a forecast $1billion extra in the annual state revenue. There are even plans to lower the gambling age of Florida residents to 18 from its current age of 21.
With the ‘poker is skill’ debate seemingly becoming an uncontested actuality, many political minds are being swayed by the stream of mathematical studies that back-up what poker players have always known, with cold, hard statistical facts. Numerous Representatives who initially opposed the Senate bill are now reconsidering their votes.
The legislation would be a dream to many poker players who see the $100 ceiling on cash games as an obstacle to the game, restricting skill and actually increasing gambling. Poker pro and Florida resident Vanessa Rousso argued that players "don't have enough chips in front of them to play out the bets and raises that are required in the skillful aspect of the game."
The lifting of limits would also entice the mighty WPT money making machine to the sunny Florida shoreline. In an interview with the Miami Herald, World Poker Tour founder and CEO Steve Lipscomb noted, “We were ready to make a deal (to have an event in Florida), and we couldn’t get around that. Doing a $500 event just isn’t what we do.”
But there are clouds on the horizon and the legislation is not a certainty, there is competition from the anti-gambling fraternity. The Florida senate is up against the Florida House of Representative which is currently examining a proposal that would dramatically reduce the amount of poker that is played in the state. The legislation moving through the House looks to rid many casinos of card games, as well as blackjack and baccarat, entirely. The outcome would affect all the big and drain the state of any poker interest.
Related news:
- Bill To Legalise Hold’em in Texas
- Washington Rejects Online Poker Appeal
- US Democrat To Reintroduce Internet Gambling Legislation
- iMEGA vs. PASPA: Battleground New Jersey
