Florida Senate - SB0810 to revise cardroom laws?

[CybrPunk]

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?

[flafishy]

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.

[CybrPunk]

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.

[break0ut]

[ 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.

[bocablkr]

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.

[DrWily]

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.

[MoolahMuerte]

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.

[ChipLeeder]

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

[CybrPunk]

[ 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.

[UATrewqaz]

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.