What is an Internet Cafe Anyway?
Regulation of Internet Cafés in Florida is a topic that is getting more and more attention. There is a lot of debate about whether these businesses are unregulated gambling houses. Many local governments are considering ordinances and moratoria to combat gambling growth. But is this the best way to address the confusion? Can the business community play a productive role in helping to define how this industry should be structured and regulated? From Internet Cafés and Adult Arcades to Slot Machines and Sweepstakes Centers, adult game establishments in Florida are prevalent. If you had a say, what would statewide legislation look like for oversight of these entities?
North Palm Beach is currently considering adoption of an ordinance regarding a moratorium on Adult Arcades. The Village Council feels that “businesses have taken advantage of a gray area in the law which raises doubt as to whether the activity can be criminally prosecuted as illegal gambling.”1 The final public hearing for North Palm Beach is scheduled for 8/25/11. In Central Florida, the Leesburg City Commission just adopted a resolution to enact a moratorium on the development of Internet Sweepstakes Cafes for 180 days (the moratorium is due to expire November 2011). This moratorium will give the Commission time to address the need for protection of their citizens.2 Manatee County was also considering adoption of an ordinance with similar gambling regulations, focusing more on Bingo establishments.3
Along with local governments, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam would like some clarification. In a recent blog post he said, “There is an ambiguity in the law itself, which is leading to uneven enforcement. And that’s unhealthy regardless of who the impacted parties are”.4 Have you been to any internet cafes in Florida? Do you notice an abundance of them in your area? Do you think discussion of this subject is a waste of time and energy? Please share your thoughts and comments.
Listed below are Internet Café issue examples tracked by OrdinanceWatch™. Visit our website at www.OrdinanceWatch.com where you can sign up for advance notice of pending local government action and have access to our searchable archive.
1. “North Palm Beach Village Council.” Village of North Palm Beach, FL . Web. 17 Aug. 2011. <http://www.village-npb.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC>.
2. “City Commission Meetings : City of Leesburg, Florida.” City of Leesburg, Florida : The Lakefront City : Welcome! 5 May 2011. Web. 27 May 2011. <http://www.leesburgflorida.gov/government/commission_meetings.aspx>.
3. “Agenda Documents.” Home. 25 Apr. 2011. Web. 27 May 2011. <http://www.mymanatee.org/home/government/board-of-commissioners/agendas.html>.
4. “Ag Commissioner Adam Putnam Wants Legislature to Clarify Legality of Internet Cafes.” Web log post. St. Petersburg Times – Buzz Blog. 18 May 2011. Web. 25 May 2011.
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