End in sight for Florida’s gambling issues

Gambling has always been somewhat of a controversial subject within the USA. Many states are hesitant to fully-legalise gambling. Florida is no exception to this.

However, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel. At present, the Seminole Tribe has the license to offer major casino games and the company owns the major casinos in the area. However, for years there has been continuous discussion to establish where the legal status of this licenses falls, along with related payments between the Seminole Tribe and the state.

As of now, there is no agreement or recommendation in place. The good news is that it could change as  there are plans to call a special legislative session in Florida to help bring the matter to its conclusion.

Current legal status

The legal status of gambling Florida depends on an individual basis – varies for casino to casino. And that results in problems surrounding licensing. Practically, this has created a huge question mark on the current position of gambling in Florida.

Land-based casinos

While online gambling is stuck in limbo in the state, land-based casinos are in a clearer situation. Florida has a host of top land-based casinos, most of them contained within hotels and all of which carry plenty of hustle and bustle that will likely keep you tied to the tables.

The rule stipulates that you must be age 21 or over to legally gamble at a land-based casino in Florida. The same age rules apply for sports betting that is also available in the Florida region as well.

Online casinos

As a far an online casino play is concerned, it still isn’t regulated, thus it’s still something of a grey area. Technically, it isn’t illegal to participate in gambling activities offered on the internet. However, due to grey areas surrounding the law, the selection of online casinos does remain sparse at best. It’s fair to summarise that online casino play is neither legal nor illegal in Florida, so nobody has ever been arrested for online gambling in the state of Florida. Without a law signifying either way, it’s plausible to gamble online Florida without too much trouble.

What is being discussed now?

The recent round of discussions all centre on the Seminole Tribe and its existing deal with the state. For those that are unaware, the Seminole Tribe runs and operates several leading casinos in the Florida area – including the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and the Coconut Creek Casino. Under the current deal between the state and the Seminole Tribe, the Tribe must make payments to the state for the exclusive rights to the card games and to operate slot machines outside of Miami-Dade and Broward counties. But new and highly controversial “designated player games,” which are played at parimutuel facilities, have brought the current $300 million agreement under question. According to the initial terms, that was agreed upon in the state’s existing deal signed back in 2010, there is a chance the tribe could end now payments to the state, which would mean that Florida loses out on as much as $400 million.

Source: sarasotapost.com