Florida En-route to Allow Online Gambling in the State

The proposals of Ellyn Bogdanoff, Florida Senator, on allowing 3 land-based casinos to open in the state as well as a set of regulations to allow accessing online casinos in United States from internet cafes move ahead.

The required change in online casinos in American is still far away, yet the Senate Regulated Industries Committee has already approved the proposals in a 7 to 3 vote. The approval was subject to allowing the pari-mutuels the exact same selection of games and tax rates as land-based casinos.

Various well-knows political observers claimed that the pari-mutuel amendment, which is seen as expansion of land-based gambling, can have two sides of a coin – sparking extra opposition to the measure from anti-gambling groups on its way through the Legislature.

In case the proposed bill stays in its current form, pari-mutuels will be forced to pay the same ten percent tax, which will also be paid by upcoming casino resorts. On the other side, pari-mutuels outside Broward and Miami-Dade will be able to put slot machines on their premises if respective county voters approve.

The pari-mutuel amendment overturned Bogdanoff’s original plans to oblige them to invest heavily (around $125 million) before they can win a casino permit. The amendment was brought in by Democratic Party Senator Maria Sachs and Republican Party Senator Charlie Dean.

The bill also proposes to create a completely new state body to regulate all gambling in Florida. United States gambling news learned that under the new bill proposals a state Gaming Control Commission will authorize casino licenses and oversee implementation of new fierce regulations for casino operators.

Bogdanoff stated that his amended bill can reduce predatory gambling in Florida through discontinuing new pari-mutuel permits as well as regulating internet cafes and maquinitas – online slot halls, which have grown like mushrooms in shopping centers through a loophole state law.