A bill introduced to the Florida legislature Friday would legalize intrastate online gambling and regulate it throughout the Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering. State Representative Joseph Abruzzo authored the web Poker Consumer Protection and Revenue Generation Act of 2010.If the bill passes, it could create a position as Internet hub operator, which might administer online poker rooms connecting players residing in Florida. Players would register accounts at affiliated card rooms, which might be accountable for providing patrons to the web gaming operator.
The online gambling operator could be charged a $500,000 licensing fee, while each card room that wished to be an affiliate would pay $1000 for a license. The rake could be taxed 20 percent by the state before being divided among operator and affiliates.
Internet operational licensing will require that applicants be incorporated within the state of Florida, ruling out attempts by established overseas Internet gambling companies from assuming the mantle of Florida online poker operator. However, the bill leaves open the opportunity of multiple hub operator.
Provisions are included that require age checking on the time of funding of accounts, in addition to measures designed to affirm identity, guard against money-laundering, and make allowance for self-exclusion and other problem gambling safeguards.
Abruzzo says almost a million Floridians already take part in online gambling at unregulated sites run by offshore operators. He states his bill would generate over $200 million for the state within the first year of operation.
Abruzzo expressly draws within the bill the correct to create intrastate online gambling regulation from the wording of the UIGEA federal Internet gambling ban.
Published on March 1, 2010 by MattMiller
Read More... [Source: Gambling Bill News]
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