Online poker research bill cleared by Florida governor
Florida governor Charlie Crist has signed a bill which will undertake a study into the impact of legalised intrastate online poker on the US state, which many believe will pave the way for regulation
Florida Governor Charlie Crist has signed a bill which will undertake a study into the impact of legalised intrastate online poker on the US state.
Crist signing the bill, which was passed by the state legislature in late May, could open the way for an implementation bill to be introduced into the legislature in early 2010
The study arising from the bill is due to appear to before the Florida Senate in December. It will look at passing laws to protect state residents from playing on unregulated offshore poker sites, and also assess the impact of legalising internet poker on Florida’s bricks and mortar card rooms.
American Poker Ventures (APV), the sister lobbying organisation of the Poker Voters of America (PVA) group currently involved in drafting an online poker legalisation in California, helped draft the study measures contained within Florida’s HB 225.
Speaking to eGaming Review, APV and PVA president Jim Tabilio said: “We need to ensure the model adopted makes sense for consumers, creates a workable and sustainable business model and ensures significant revenue for the state”.
Florida and California are likely to take a similar length of time to resolve the regulation issue, Tabilio said.