Online Poker Still a Possibility in Florida

Although many hurdles remain, there is still a chance of regulated online poker in Florida, and at a Florida Senate Gaming Committee meeting recently, among the business on the agenda was that of online poker. Although the meeting was focused on discussing a draft of the new gaming reform bill, a bill that will be based around the findings of a recent report examining the gaming industry in Florida, online poker was mentioned and is still on the agenda. The question is whether or not online poker will make it onto the final bill, and although other areas of the gaming industry are considered to be of much more importance, the fact that poker was regarded as a game of skill and different from other forms of gambling gives it a chance of making the cut...albeit a small one.

The main bill will address the expansion of gambling in the state and at present there's mixed feeling regarding that, and the fact that there are elections later this year, many feel that there will be no major changes. The bill will be finished and presented in late February and those stakeholders regarding online poker are being asked to push the issue and attempt to get online poker on the bill. Residents are Florida are of course welcomed in a number of offshore online poker rooms that cater for them, with Bovada and Americas Cardroom being two of the largest. Although not regulated in the US these rooms are regulated offshore and players can find a wide variety of cash games and real money Texas Hold'em, as well as large guaranteed tournaments.