Our late April update from Vegas Sports Betting features the state of Florida seizing illegal gambling slots and much more. While legal sports betting is not on the docket, the tribal “hub and spoke” method rules the roost in the state. Now, when it comes to regulations, Florida has a very laissez-faire attitude for the most part. However, some legal developments are worthy of noting.
The thought process is that sports gambling is like the Wild Wild West in the state. By now, it is unlikely that online betting sites of a legal nature will be in Florida. While some mention how reactive the state is, it is essential to keep in mind that their helpline has seen a huge increase in calls due to the extreme spike in access to betting online. With more options to report, naturally there was going to be way more calls.
Florida carries DFS options along with Hard Rock Bet. The online apps and everything alone have proven to be quite a boon. However, again, the Seminole Tribe controls things more than the regulators to an extent.
With the increase in betting options comes more risk and danger. There is something for every sports bettor. Unfortunately, the only snags are the method of controlling. Florida carries a law with how slots are deemed illegal or legal. Not surprisingly, more and more of these are being seized.
Daytona Beach seized 70+ slots in a raid on April 10th in Florida. Yes, a few states around Florida do not have legal betting like Alabama. However, slots are a bit different. The state only allowed these gambling casino slots in eight Broward and Miami county locations. Naturally, certain tribal facilities, are legal areas for these slots as well. The best online casinos are regulated in their own way.
Pari-mutuel wagering is a way of betting on races or games that the winners divide the total amount bet after taxes are deducted. Winnings are not won by individuals in that sense. Odds can only be assigned to particular outcomes according to the FGCC.
The net results of the raid were telling. A total of 68 slots (Fire Link) were seized along with four Fish Table gambling machines. Patrons were seen running out the backdoor and $19,680 in cash was brought into evidence. Illegal slot machines are considered contraband. All money shall be forfeited to the county of where the seizure took place. Possession of the slots is grounds for a $10,000 fine per machine.
Then, there are the consequences for the crime which is a second degree misdemeanor. Florida stated the punishment there is up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. Despite that, it will be something to see what comes of this case. Will this be a tipping point as more slots might be found.
If anyone needs a reason why regulators seem behind the ball, it is this. The legal gambling age for casinos is 21 but 18 for lottery games include the pari-mutuel games like Jai Alai and Horse Racing. Yes, there are always various deposit methods with the casinos and books. Then again, lottery games, bingo, and poker also carry a legal age of only 18.
Again, the problems mount quickly here. The state of Florida carries penalties but they feel like such a slap on the wrist. One entity sets up shop in a location and then just moves if the state steps in. It is clear that the state needs to move faster. The biggest underlying problem may not be under the surface for long. The idea of underage sports gambling seems to finally be taken seriously.
Unfortunately, this does not seem to happen often enough for some. Naturally, when it comes to going after the big casinos offshore, the state of Florida has not taken them on until now. Okay, the state is not doing this, actually it is a law firm out of Pensacola of all places (Rafferty, Dominick, Cunningham and Yaffa).
Yes, what about this underage gambling complaint? The company is called stake.com. Most in the United States probably have little clue of who they are. However, this is an offshore corp that generates billions of dollars a year in revenue. The client in question was very much underage at the time and got addicted very quickly. Legal experts suggest ads are hooking teenagers faster to gambling than drugs even.
The problem is when Florida made gambling legal the way they did, the proliferation of ads and marketing overcame the marketplace. The client is now 20 and gambled all of his tuition money in a mere eight days. Honestly, the mere idea of how fast that money can do is sobering enough. Worse, this has happening far more often across the state than most realize.
Physical sportsbooks and casinos are one thing. An underage player can be spotted and tossed out. In this case, online is accessible via the apps and takes little time to get set up. Younger “adults” and teens are glued to their phones and those ads may be the most gripping in terms of addiction.
With the aforementioned “hub and spoke” method, regulation is not so easy in Florida. Again, it is more new so the state along with regulators who need to catch up faster. It is partially why some states try to heavily regular offshore companies like stake.com. How this case plays out in court will be interesting depending on how far it goes and if a verdict gets reached. Stay tuned!
