Goodbye Internet Cafes

[Tacachale]

Gambling is already legal, it's just heavily regulated. The idea there is to get folks who want to gamble into law abiding, tax-generating establishments. The argument here is that (in addition to their business practices) these cafes crossed the dodgy line between a McDonalds-style sweepstakes and actual gambling - without submitting to the same regulations as, say, Best Bet Poker, the dog tracks, Indian casinos, the state lotto, etc.

However, to me the fact that this legislation is passed says that in the eyes of the state the practice wasn't illegal before now. It kind of hurts a lot of the arguments against them.

This is the small matter of millions upon millions of dollars collected under the guise that they were to be used to help Veterans but in reality went to the private pockets of some clever schemers, some of them in positions of public trust.  This is what really brought the house down and as a result created the fast action in Tallahassee.  The legal crackdown along with questions about the Lt. Governor Carroll's put all of this on the fast track to shutdown.  In reality the issue of whether to allow or not allow gambling in the state and at what level is really another discussion. 

Yes, they really are distinct but related issues. This legislation, though, is about gambling and urbanlibertarian is right that it affects cafes not affiliated with Allied Veterans.

Ok.  Then is it fair or reasonable to say that all internet cafes were operated fraudulently like Allied Veterans?  Should they all have been shut down because of what Allied Veterans did?

That's the question. It should be pretty clear that there are (or would have been) further investigations into other operates besides Allied Veterans. They were all working around the same loopholes, so that was going to be an issue for them whether or not their other business practices were like Allied's. At any rate, they're all going to argue that it wasn't explicitly illegal until today.

[Cheshire Cat]

I would agree that the legislation has impacted folks in the internet cafe business that were following the rules.  I expect to see some legal challenges over this reality. 

[Cheshire Cat]

Here are the standards for closure of the Internet Cafe's from today via News4Jax

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is sending out guidelines to all police departments and sheriff's offices in the state about shutting down Internet cafes.
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Certain games inside the sweepstakes adult arcades became illegal Wednesday when Gov. Rick Scott signed the bill into law.

The legislation reaffirms that Internet cafes are not exempted from gambling laws.

FDLE says continued unlawful operations of cafes will mean patrons, owners and employees could be criminally prosecuted.

DOCUMENT: Internet cafe guidelines handout

FDLE wants all law enforcement agencies to know the following:

    Those who own, operate or oversee a house or other place for unlawful gaming or gambling are guilty of a third-degree felony.
    Agents or employees of such establishments are also guilty of a third-degree felony.
    Unlawful possession of gambling devices, to include unlawful slot machines, is a misdemeanor.
    Individuals who engage in unlawful gambling activities are guilty of a misdemeanor.

The call to ban Internet cafes came after a major Internet cafe gambling scheme led to dozens of arrests, including the Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police president and vice president.

It also led to the resignation of Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll.

FDLE says any person concerned that he or she may be engaged in actions that are in violation of Florida's criminal laws should seek advice from a private attorney

.http://www.news4jax.com/news/FDLE-provides-guidelines-on-new-Internet-cafe-laws/-/475880/19729362/-/r9bk5wz/-/index.html