Florida Considers Online Poker Legislation

Poker News - March 3rd, 2010 - Written By Glen

Though online poker legislation has been taking the federal route, a court hearing last year allowed states the right to individually legalize online gambling. This state empowerment has led to many states attempting to legalize online poker, and Florida may be the next in line to make the effort.

Representative Joseph Abruzzo has introduced legislation entitled the Internet Poker Consumer Protection and Revenue Generation Act of 2010.

Florida has been contemplating their gambling laws for some time, most notably their compact with the Seminole tribe over all forms of gambling in the state. Online Poker has only recently come under fire by the state legislature, and Abruzzo has taken the first steps to pushing forth a legalization.

Abruzzo's legislation would put stringent regulations in place. Not only will players be required to be 21 or older, but crime and money laundering is meant to be prevented. Also, there has been some suggestion that the amount of time spent gambling and amount wagered are to be controlled.

A tax rate of 20% of the poker room's gross win has been proposed.

Florida's steps toward legal online poker rooms are not new, but they may prove more successful. While California and Atlantic City, two of the major locations that were considering legal intrastate online gambling, have not moved Forward, many expect Florida's own online poker scheme to come to fruition.