Gov. Crist signs Florida poker limits
bill
Article by Scott Long of Ante Up
Magazine
Gov. Charlie
Crist today signed Senate Bill 622, which eliminates bet and buy-in
restrictions and extends operating hours for Florida poker rooms.
The poker
changes take effect on July 1, while a gaming compact with the Seminole
Tribe of Florida will take effect after approval from the federal Bureau
of Indian Affairs and publication in the Federal Register.
"Today’s bill
signing is the last step in a historic effort that benefits both the
Seminole Tribe and the entire state of Florida. Following three years of
healthy debate and deliberation, the children and families of Florida
are now the beneficiaries of much-needed money that will be used to fund
critical needs such as education," Crist said. "With this signing,
Florida has the immediate use of $250 million, already on hand, and
makes way for even more revenue to meet the needs of our state for
decades to come – a total of $1.2 billion during the first five years. I
want to thank Senator Dennis Jones and Chairman Bill Galvano for helping
secure a favorable compact for the Sunshine State. The compact’s
approval is an example of elevating problem-solving over ideology."
What does it mean for
poker players?
NO MORE LIMITS
Gone is the $100 maximum buy-in for no-limit hold'em games. Gone is
the $5 bet limit for limit games. Gone is the $800 buy-in limit on
tournaments. In short, the only limitations on buy-ins and bet sizes
will be those that individual poker rooms place on them.
LONGER HOURS
Poker rooms will no longer have to close after 12 hours. They can
remain open for 18 hours Monday through Friday and for 24 hours on
Saturday, Sunday and certain holidays.
OTHER CHANGES
The legislation adjusts some non-poker limitations that may have an
effect on poker as well. For example, Palm Beach Kennel Club will be
able to convert an unused jai-alai permit into a greyhound permit, which
would allow it to open a second poker room. Nine permits have been
issued for new quarter horse facilities (with two more pending) that
could result in new poker rooms opening in the future, though only two
or three appear viable in that regard right now. Some cost-savings are
built in, too. A separate bill, Senate Bill 640, would eliminate the
state's tax on poker for most pari-mutuel rooms, which would allow rooms
to reinvest that money into their facilities, marketing or operations.
It is not tied to SB 622, but has passed a Senate committee and is
awaiting further action.
The changes will go
into effect on July 1, and apply to all pari-mutuel poker rooms and
Indian poker rooms. The Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering will likely
hold rulemaking sessions with poker room directors to further refine how
the changes will look in practice.
Many poker rooms
managers have told Ante Up privately that they are concerned that their
players, accustomed to a $100 max buy-in, are at risk of losing their
bankroll quickly in an uncapped environment. So expect some rooms to
tread slowly on fully rolling out changes. But in essence, you'll be
right to expect bigger no-limit games, bigger limit games and new
pot-limit games in most rooms almost immediately.
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