Florida Senate - SB0810 to revise cardroom laws?
 

While playing in a live tournament yesterday evening, one of the floormen informed me of a bill that he stated was currently in the hands of Gov. Crist that would loosen the noose on cardrooms allowing them to host higher stakes limit and no limit cash games. Thusfar I've only found one senate bill, SB0810, whose text is very ambiguous and does not indicate what the intent of the bill actually is. This is the only bill relating to cardrooms currently on the Senate floor that does not have even preliminary text. The bill currently appears to act as merely a placeholder for future legislation.

I've heard rumors of Florida raising the stakes for at least a year now from plenty of dealers. The fact that a floor manager at a room I respect told me this info makes me want to believe it, however I have yet to find anything substantial that would support the claim. According to this individual, casinos here will start hosting 2/4 and 3/6 limit games as well as $500 max buy-in NL cash games next week. He says their room is already planning ahead to add tables, remove some of the slot machines and make the switch to a full non-smoking room.

Is there anyone out there who is a little better informed about SB0810 that might be able to shed some light on the situation?

Re: Florida Senate - SB0810 to revise cardroom laws?
 

Bull. They're going to remove slot machines to add poker tables? Why in the world would they do that? Slot machines take in much more money for the house than poker tables do.

Anyway, the limits on poker in this state aren't regulated by the Legislature. That's the purview of the parimutuel board and the governor. The Legislature can't do anything as far as gaming without a statewide referendum. They could pass any bill they want to but it would have to go to the voters before it became law.

Re: Florida Senate - SB0810 to revise cardroom laws?
 

Well after doing some more research I found that the Committee on Regulated Industries is meeting today, 9:00 am through 11:00 am to discuss this bill. This is for real. It has been referred for discussion by the committees on Regulated Industry, General Appropriations and Tax & Finance.

The casino I'm referring to is the Seminole casino in Hollywood. I know you're familiar with them. Robert, one of their floor managers, told me yesterday evening that their plan is to go completely smoke-free in the poker room and to add more tables, which would either mean removing the buffet or the slots located near the cash game brush. He indicated that the buffet is going to stay.

You are incorrect about the laws surrounding cardrooms. They are controlled by the legislature completely and there is no need to send this for a vote. The laws surrounding cardrooms are part of the Florida Legislative Code under S849. The bill becomes law as soon as it is passed by the Senate. There are a number of bills that become laws like this.

Do you seriously think that every piece of legislation goes to vote? That would severely hinder the legislative process.

Re: Florida Senate - SB0810 to revise cardroom laws?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Well after doing some more research I found that the Committee on Regulated Industries is meeting today, 9:00 am through 11:00 am to discuss this bill. This is for real. It has been referred for discussion by the committees on Regulated Industry, General Appropriations and Tax & Finance.

The casino I'm referring to is the Seminole casino in Hollywood. I know you're familiar with them. Robert, one of their floor managers, told me yesterday evening that their plan is to go completely smoke-free in the poker room and to add more tables, which would either mean removing the buffet or the slots located near the cash game brush. He indicated that the buffet is going to stay.

You are incorrect about the laws surrounding cardrooms. They are controlled by the legislature completely and there is no need to send this for a vote. The laws surrounding cardrooms are part of the Florida Legislative Code under S849. The bill becomes law as soon as it is passed by the Senate. There are a number of bills that become laws like this.

Do you seriously think that every piece of legislation goes to vote? That would severely hinder the legislative process.

[/ QUOTE ]

I also know Robert and have heard this type of talk from him and the dealers there for sometime however will this new bill, we all just have to cross our fingers.

I personally wouldn't mind them removing that god awful buffet for more tables, and maybe update the snack bar a bit. The only time I go to the old Seminole anyhow is for the $350 bounty on Thursdays but if they become smoke free that would certainly be an incentive although it seems as if the smoke is permanently embedded in the floors there. Anyhow, this is good news hopefully something will come of this.

Re: Florida Senate - SB0810 to revise cardroom laws?
 

I think the smoke is permanently in that thatch roof material they have around the poker room. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

It would be great if the stakes changed.

Re: Florida Senate - SB0810 to revise cardroom laws?
 

This was also brought up to me in the Daytona Cardroom by the tournament director. I'm hoping something big is on the horizon. The only additional information he provided me was that Florida would also be getting a WPT circuit event shortly after the change.

Re: Florida Senate - SB0810 to revise cardroom laws?
 

Please let this happen - i can't stand the cardrooms here now. 1/2 limit is just godawful.

FWIW - they have been talking about having real casino action for at least 3-4 years - but after the seminoles bought out hard rock - i began to have hope. please keep us updated as to anything you find out.

Some Linkies
 

SB1192

8(b)) --

Changes maximum wager to $40 per hand if only "single wager per hand rather then multiple rounds of betting"

Also ---

2(i) & 2(k)

sb0216

Dealing with highstakes poker and high stakes poker tournaments

Re: Some Linkies
 

[ QUOTE ]
SB1192

8(b)) --

Changes maximum wager to $40 per hand if only "single wager per hand rather then multiple rounds of betting"

Also ---

2(i) & 2(k)

sb0216

Dealing with highstakes poker and high stakes poker tournaments

[/ QUOTE ]

I already saw both of those and neither indicates what I was told last night. The link in my original post is to a bill that is devoid of any language and I am assuming will be the platform for the upcoming changes.

Re: Florida Senate - SB0810 to revise cardroom laws?
 

During Card Player Magazine's interview with Alfons Damato there is passing reference to Florida considering a law to loosen up their poker rules (aka allow higher stakes).

So there seems to be something to this.

Re: Some Linkies
 

I don't understand what this has to do with the Seminole casinos. The state regulates parimutuel facilities, not tribal casinos. In any case, I doubt that anything's going to change by next week.

Poker dealers and floor people start these kinds of rumors all the time and they never come to fruition.

This bill is in committee, far from being reality. Anyone on any committee can write a bill, but that doesn't mean there's any support for it. What would be the motivation for the Legislature to do this?

I, too, would love to see this happen. But I really don't believe it ever will.

Seminole Casino\'s
 

My contact with the Seminoles told me that there is nothing to stop the Seminoles from offering high stakes poker in Florida and that it should be in place "soon."

Re: Seminole Casino\'s
 

[ QUOTE ]
My contact with the Seminoles told me that there is nothing to stop the Seminoles from offering high stakes poker in Florida and that it should be in place "soon."

[/ QUOTE ]

The laws that are currently being discussed are applicable to card rooms located OFF of Federal land, namely those at the pari-mutuals around the state. Once those facilities are permitted to host higher stakes games, the Indian casinos are inherently allowed to do anything so long as it maintains fair competition with their surrounding competitors. They are not allowed to simply introduce any game of their liking. They are required by the Indian Gaming Commission, the federal agency that oversees them, to maintain fair competition with state and local gaming businesses wherever gaming is allowed by law, which is where their hands are tied with regard to raising the table stakes in their card rooms in Florida.

Re: Seminole Casino\'s
 

OK so on what premise are they allowed to offer SNG's with $1,000 buy ins

Re: Some Linkies
 

[ QUOTE ]
I, too, would love to see this happen. But I really don't believe it ever will.

[/ QUOTE ]

I shared this same sentiment until as recently as yesterday. Since then I've found enough information via the FL Senate website, news agencies and other people that it gives me hope. Based on everything I've found, this does not appear to be an isolated rumor. I've just sent an email to Dennis Jones, the senator that introduced the legislation. I will be sure and update when I get a reply from him.

Re: Seminole Casino\'s
 

[ QUOTE ]
OK so on what premise are they allowed to offer SNG's with $1,000 buy ins

[/ QUOTE ]

I couldn't tell you how they do it. According to everything I've read with regard to Indian gaming it should not be allowed.

I never claimed to be an expert in this thread. I have, however, read all of the legislative code surrounding card rooms as well as a variety of information regarding the Indian Gaming Commission. My first post actually asks for help finding any more information that might be out there regarding the legislation. I'm actually pretty shocked here considering how bad we have it in this state and the only responses thus far have been from naysayers and non-beleivers. I would have thought my fellow Floridians might have agreed that this has interesting implications....

I know these rumors have been spread by personnel at card rooms for a long time. This is the first time I've gotten confirmation from more than one person in a management position. Add in the statements by D'Amato that were referred to earlier and the fact that SB810 and SB814 are both blank bills, apparently in place to contain legislation that is in the process of being written, and it definitely starts to point, at the very least, towards the laws being reviewed with the intent of revising them.

GIVE THE TOURISTS AND VISITORS REAL POKER PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

[ QUOTE ]
Bull. They're going to remove slot machines to add poker tables? Why in the world would they do that? Slot machines take in much more money for the house than poker tables do.[ QUOTE ]


No one is saying that poker tables make more money per square foot than slot machines. However, if I had real poker games, I would bring my wife to Florida in the winter instead of Las Vegas, and she can pull some slots, I can play real poker, we can go to the track, and lay on the beach.

I know of two other friends of mine who feel the same way, so there are three poker players and three slot pullers more than they have now!

SB1192
 

Back to SB1192

SB1192 was discussed today by the Regulated Industries Committee

Re: Florida Senate - SB0810 to revise cardroom laws?
 

I might even return to my home state.

Re: Florida Senate - SB0810 to revise cardroom laws?
 

This is pretty great news, I guess all of us in Florida just have to cross our fingers. Maybe if it had to go to a vote it could be attached to a bill banning terrorism or something.

Re: Florida Senate - SB0810 to revise cardroom laws?
 

Fingers crossed. I'm moving back to sunny FL next month.

Re: Florida Senate - SB0810 to revise cardroom laws?
 

Go Florida.

Re: Seminole Casino\'s
 

"In Florida, poker tournaments are exempted from the betting structure rules and may use any betting structure including no limit" wiki - and for cash games, by law $2 maximum bet per round - and 3 rounds per street if you will.

you see very weird structures - limit holdem with a 2$ ante and 2/2 blinds - just ridiculous

Re: Seminole Casino\'s
 

Florida would be poker heaven if this comes through.

Re: Seminole Casino\'s
 

[ QUOTE ]
Florida would be poker heaven if this comes through.

[/ QUOTE ]

No kidding. If this flies I may well just quit my job and move there.

Re: Seminole Casino\'s
 

Lets go Florida! Raise the poker stakes to amounts fatter and bigger than John Goodman's 5th chin!!

http://www.celebritydetective.com/jgoodman6.jpg

Re: Seminole Casino\'s
 

[ QUOTE ]
Once those facilities are permitted to host higher stakes games, the Indian casinos are inherently allowed to do anything so long as it maintains fair competition with their surrounding competitors.

[/ QUOTE ]

Theny why are they not allowed to have Class III slots now like the Broward parimutuels have?

Re: Seminole Casino\'s
 

I will quickly admit that I am not as knowledgeable about those laws as the ones surrounding poker.

It's mostly due to the fact I really have no interest in slots.

Re: Seminole Casino\'s
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Florida would be poker heaven if this comes through.

[/ QUOTE ]

No kidding. If this flies I may well just quit my job and move there.

[/ QUOTE ]

No, stay away you bastards

Re: Seminole Casino\'s
 

LOL, yeah we were here first!

Re: Seminole Casino\'s
 

Don't get too excited. This bill seems to be about legalizing CA-style blackjack in FL. I'll check more into it.

Re: Seminole Casino\'s
 

I don't see anything about blackjack in any of the links posted, only poker and dominoes. Where did you see that?

Re: Seminole Casino\'s
 

Take a look at this: http://www.flsenate.gov/data/session...07s1192.ri.pdf

All of the language in these bills about $40 maximum sized bets is conditional and related to card games with only one round of betting, e.g., blackjack. Do you know any "poker" games that have only one round of betting?

Re: Seminole Casino\'s
 

Seminole please to 5-10 Limit tables.
Play Live only 1 table with $2 limit is suck.

Re: Seminole Casino\'s
 

[ QUOTE ]
Take a look at this: http://www.flsenate.gov/data/session...07s1192.ri.pdf

All of the language in these bills about $40 maximum sized bets is conditional and related to card games with only one round of betting, e.g., blackjack. Do you know any "poker" games that have only one round of betting?

[/ QUOTE ]

Ugh, I see now, this link is pretty clear that as of now the bill only supports the addition of low stakes blackjack. Hopefully they will amend it to include increasing poker stakes.

Re: Seminole Casino\'s
 

Like I've been saying all along, the bills that appear to be placeholders for new legislation surrounding card rooms are SB 0810 and SB 0814. Yesterday I sent emails to both co-chairs of the Regulated Industries committee, one of whom is my local district senator, and I'm hoping that I can get some clarification about the intent of these bills.

Re: Seminole Casino\'s
 

Wow I live in Tampa and if the Hard Rock here ever started offering NL cash I would be in heaven. Please keep up updated on the replies to your emails CybrPunk.

Re: Seminole Casino\'s
 

Note sure if this is the same bill

http://www.cardplayer.com/poker_law/article/1978

Re: Seminole Casino\'s
 

No that's a different bill but it's also something that has been introduced before the Senate.

No responses from either Senator so far....

Re: Seminole Casino\'s
 

THEJARED is right. Currently the only Florida legislation in discussion concerning poker law is a Bill to allow Florida card rooms to hold high stakes tournaments twice a year under the condition that they are nationally broadcast. We might get a WPT event but the rest of the year we are stuck with our 1/2 [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]