Florida to Study the State’s Gambling Industry

The US state of Florida recently banned internet sweepstake cafes, which are what mini shop front casinos are known as there. This controversial move came after a racketeering probe ended up with 50 people being charged in connection with the betting industry.

Now, the state is going to run a study into the impact of different types of gambling in Florida. The investigation has been set up by the Florida Legislature and it will be carried out by the Spectrum Gaming Group. They have been tasked with working out what impact betting has socially and financially in the state.

As well as looking at the current situation they will also be finding out what the impact could be of different future changes in the gambling industry. They will also be analysing the economic situation which gaming has on different sectors of the wider Florida community.   

Looking for a Comprehensive Policy

Don Gaetz is the Senate President of Florida State and he said that “substantial economic activity” is generated by things like Seminole casinos, the Florida Lottery and other permitted gambling activities. However, he pointed out that the way that the state has handled these different types of betting has not been part of a “comprehensive policy” before now.

Gaetz says that the research will allow Senate committees to “comprehensively examine gaming issues”. The cost of the investigation has been reported as being around $380,000 and the first part will be presented in July, with the second and final part coming along in October of this year.