Gambling Addressed by New Florida Governor

No specific position revealed The position on gambling expansion of Florida's new Governor Rick Scott formed the subject of media research and speculation this week, but it turned out to be less than clear. Even though he held a news conference to cover a number of other issues, one of the journalists' questions was whether his earlier meeting with Las Vegas Sands owner Sheldon Adelson implied that there would be an expansion of gambling in the state. Due to this event, the media in Florida thought that the new governor may permit new land casino resorts. However, Scott explained: "I don't know why anybody would say that. I've not taken any position other than the position I've already said." But he added that he didn't want the state to "become very largely dependent on gaming for revenue", considering the fact that gambling is already permitted in Florida. "I'm fine with what they are doing. I've not taken any position I want to expand gaming or make any changes," he stated. According to recent report released in Associated Press, Florida runs a state lottery, and gets a share from gambling action at the Seminole Indians' tribal casinos. It also allows betting at horse and dog tracks and jai alai frontons, and those pari-mutuel facilities also are allowed poker rooms, whereas some keep slot machines as well. It was added in the report that casino gambling ban lifting has been the subject of constant Las Vegas Sands' lobbying, with Adelson claiming that he's willing to invest up to $3 billion on a Miami project, and certain speculations that some draft bills are being prepared to be presented this year to permit up to five land casinos in the state, regulated by a state control commission. The Florida legislators are already facing an intrastate bill to legalize and regulate online poker, originally filed by Representative Joseph Abruzzo in March 2010. This bill, better known as HB77, the Internet Poker Consumer Protection and Revenue Generation Act of 2011 was re-introduced in the House - again by Abruzzo - on December 16 2010, with a proposed effective date of July 1 2011, and it presents comprehensive provisions against money laundering, and underage and problem gambling. It also reportedly makes use of the UIGEA provision that allows individual states to retain autonomy in controlling gambling legislation, at the same time allowing Internet hub operators to run intrastate online poker sites, with the state controlling operator licenses and administering stringent regulations. To be able to operate in Florida, operators will have to have a business license issued by the state and preferably in one or more other US states, whereas the operators licensed in other nations would have to meet strict pre-conditions to be allowed into the market. In addition, it is envisaged that interested parties would have to pay a rather high application fee of $500 000 to the state's Pari-Mutuel Wagering Trust Fund of the Department of Business and Professional Regulations, as well as additional $1 000 annual license fee for successful applicants. Not to mention state taxes. In terms of operational restriction, there is a player age limit of minimum 21 years of age, and as for operators, they would have to provide fair and consistent software and games on offer. The Abruzzo bill in the preamble reads: "Internet Poker: Creates the Internet Poker Consumer Protection & Revenue Generation Act of 2011"; provides for intrastate Internet poker to be provided to public by cardroom operators through state Internet poker network operated by Internet poker hub operators; provides for licensure, administration, and regulation by Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering of DBPR. Effective Date: July 1, 2011"