Last week, the Florida Senate Gaming Committee released its highly anticipated gaming reform bill, Senate Proposed Bill 7052, intended to reform and update the gaming industry in America’s fourth most populous state.
The bill proposes a raft of changes including the creation of a gaming control board, increased enforcement powers and reduced restrictions on the running of poker rooms, as well as opening the door to two new possible casino locations in the state.
Online poker, however, is not included in the bill although changes are proposed to laws in relation to online wagering. These changes are intended to increase restrictions on illegal gambling activities to now expressly prohibit online wagering.
SPB 7052 is in its early stages and it remains possible that the bill may subsequently be amended to allow for the regulation of online poker, or a separate online poker bill may be introduced.
While SBP 7052 does not itself preclude the regulation of online poker, the fact that the bill does not reference the regulation or licensing of online gaming, even at this early stage, suggests Florida will not be quick to follow New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware into the online arena.
