Internet Poker may come to Florida

The upcoming legislative session in Florida will be the first time the group has considered how to draw revenue from Internet poker betting or whether to ban the activity all together.

Congress will be addressing the question of Internet poker over the next few years. As gambling is illegal in the United States where not locally sanctioned, the issues surrounding the practice are broad. It is difficult to regulate because the sites are operated by foreign companies. The ultimate question is, "who owns the Internet?," which is not easily answered.

Lawmakers in Florida will consider three options including awaiting a Congressional decision, banning Internet poker in Florida or somehow regulating the practice. Each of these options poses sufficient problems.

One major problem with banning Internet poker is enforcing the ban. Any person with Internet access can potentially link to sites allowing the games, so bans would be very hard to enforce. IP addresses would need to be traced and long investigation could ensue, costing the state more money than they are prepared to potentially handle.

Nevada took one possible stance on the issue. The state allowed Internet gambling, but said it would wait for federal decisions to promote and implement the practice. Nevada is likely hoping to regulate online gambling, in a similar way that it regulates casinos, to draw income and even promote tourism.

News Added: 25 January, 2010

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