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 Florida lawmakers are preparing to vote on two bills that could change the face of gambling in Florida. The first and most controversial of the measures would allow dog track owners to offer card and slot machine games even if they stop offering dog races. The second measure and most anticipated of the measures would legalize and regulate internet poker across the sunshine state. Both bills received the approval of the state Senate Regulated Industries committee on Wednesday and have been introduced into the House but neither issue has been taken up yet.
The racetrack bill would basically allow race tracks to transition in miniature casinos. Florida is home to 16 greyhound tracks and as the popularity of dog racing declines its likely many of the tracks will opt out of offering dog races.
"The market has dictated already that this may be a dying industry, but I don't think its dead," said Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, sponsor of the bill. "I do believe there should be some dog racing where the people want it, and it should be dictated by the people and not by government."
As for the internet poker bill, if it goes into effect it is estimated that it could generate as much as $50 million in additional tax revenue which could go a long way towards fixing the state's budget.
Experts estimate that around 800,000 Floridians already play poker online without protection from unscrupulous operators.
"What we have here is a bill that is very carefully crafted," said Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami He said that the measure will not only protect consumers by awarding contracts to three hub operators who have never offered illegal Internet poker in Florida but that Florida's pari-mutuels could carve out a portion of the gambling profits and remit 10% of their gross revenue directly to the state.
"We're protecting Florida consumers from having their identity stolen, from having financial information stolen, from being easy prey from entities that operate offshore," he explained.
Both bills are expected to pass sometime this year.
As always, stay tuned to Casinofan for more news and updates.
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