Florida One Step Closer to Legal Online Poker
Written by Roger S | Wednesday, November 25th, 2009
A 12 page study on internet poker in Florida will be presented to the state legislature towards the end of November, hopefully bringing Florida one step closer to a legalized online poker industry.
The report was prepared by the state’s Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) and is likely to play a major part in the entire’s country’s journey to a legalized and regulated poker industry.
There are essentially three options for the future of poker in Florida that are outlined in the report: To prohibit the game outright; to wait for the US Congress to legalize the game at a Federal level; or to authorize and regulate online poker at state level.
According to the report, and an opinion shared by the majority in the state, prohibiting the game altogether is not the way to go. “A law to prohibit Internet gambling could be difficult to enforce, as anyone with the appropriate equipment and Internet connections can play online poker in the privacy of his or her own home,” reads the report.
The Poker Voters of America (PVA), a pro poker group that also incorporates its Florida arm, American Poker Ventures, has now decided to focus its attention on convincing legislators that the legalization and regulation of online poker in Florida is the most effective way of protecting state residents from the dangers of unregulated poker.
“OPPAGA came out with three options, two of which do nothing to regulate poker, bring revenue to the state or give consumer protection to online players. We feel that puts us in a strong position regarding the regulation of online poker in the state,” said Melanie Brenner, who acts as president of both Poker Voters of America and American Poker Ventures.
Some analysts have noted that the Florida report lacks objectivity and even quotes statistics that are unsubstantiated. For example, the report shows that gambling opponents “argue that the prevalence of gambling addiction is three to four times higher with internet gambling than with non internet gambling” – a fact that lacks any sources – and analysts believe that those who reach a decision on the report will not benefit from all the facts.
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· Written by Roger S · Filed Under Poker Gossip · Comments Off
