Florida May Begin Regulating Online Slots as Early As 2010
Florida will soon be joining California with state regulated online slots. California is a state where heavy legislation is being worked through to police online gambling. Many are speculating the state’s recent $24 billion budget deficit is the impetus that made online slots a target. The state is now almost two-weeks into its new fiscal year and the enormity of its deficit is hitting legislators hard. Earlier this year the state tried using temporary tax hikes to bring in revenue, but the numbers are still showing that it wasn’t enough. Add to that an economy that is still in a slump, and the state is hard-pressed to find a solution. Finding new revenue channels, such as through online gambling, would definitely help the state meet its budget, or at minimum mitigate its effect.
Florida soon will be another state where regulation of “legal” online gambling will be utilized. Lloyd Levine, former state legislator, developed a document that suggested adding controls over online slots, poker and gaming in general. Florida is another state that has a budget deficit to deal with and although it is not nearly as large as California’s, it still is causing much concern throughout the government.
Currently the proposed bill for Florida includes a detailed study of online slots, gambling and poker. Once the study is completed a report will be compiled. The bill first passed the State vote in May and now it’s moving to the State Senate for approval. If it is passed, online slots could begin being regulated as early as 2010. It seems that with the current deficits stifling state governments, many more may look to online slots as a way to bring in more cash.
Tags: online gambling, online slots
