Yesterday, HB-3, outlawing all Internet sweepstakes cafes in Florida, passed through the House, as expected; but Historic City News learned from Tallahassee insiders, the measure is not likely to be taken up by the Senate; whose members embrace another entertainment option for residents and tourists that could raise as much as $4 million annually in licensing fees through regulation.

Until it becomes clear what action, if any, the Senate will take on the issue, thirteen St Johns County business locations, and their landlords, where computer terminals provide entertainment for players entered into “sweepstakes pools” with pre-determined outcomes, it continues to be “wait and see”.

1-877-WIN-CAFE (946-2233)

The entire Cabinet and Republican Governor Rick Scott prefer making illegal the sweepstakes cafes that provide slot-like video game sweepstakes as a promotion to sell Internet or telephone time.

http://www.historiccity.com/2012/staugustine/news/florida/internet-cafes-regulate-dont-eliminate-23808