Editorial: Pass ban on gaming at Internet cafes in Florida

Friday, February 24, 2012  

"The developers who had hoped to build huge destination resort casinos in South Florida rolled snake eyes with the Legislature. Bills to allow the new gambling palaces look like they're dead for this session.

We were guardedly open to the idea, in part because of the economic benefits in jobs, taxes and tourism it promised for the state's struggling economy. But we also welcomed the opportunity the bills presented to tighten regulations on other kinds of gambling throughout Florida, and to ban an unregulated, unsavory and especially predatory variety: Internet cafes.

That opportunity lives on, even if the prospect of resort casinos doesn't. A bill from state Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, would make Internet cafes illegal. It has been endorsed by Gov. Rick Scott and all the other members of Florida's Cabinet. It should become law."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Lawmakers should close Internet cafes (The South Florida Sun-Sentinel 2/24)