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Seminole County commissioners in the state of Florida have decided to ban virtual slot machine as well as other video gambling devices. The commissioners voted unanimously this past week to ban all businesses from offering cash as well as prizes from simulated gambling devices. The county will no longer offer computer games or video devices like poker, craps, and other casino style games. Dick Van Der Weide a commissioner in the county stated that they are only looking out for the residents of the county. Van Der Weide went on to say that the internet café’s in his district that offer such games have seen a lot of crime in surrounding businesses, stating many are afraid to even go into the parking lot.
The commissioners did decide to allow churches and charitable organizations to use the games in a fundraising capacity but only up to two times a year. February 1st is the deadline for internet cafes to remove the games or they will be fined $300 each day they are in violation of the new ordinance. Business owners who do not comply could be faced with a second degree misdemeanor.
The commissioners gave cities in the county the option to opt out of the ordinance but many showed up at the meeting to show their support in the matter. Sanford and Casselberry are two of the cities that are in approval of the new ordinance.
So overall it looks as though most cities are in agreement with the ban of the devices such as craps and poker games. Many residents will be unhappy with the changes but hopefully the crime incidents will stop and residents will take that into consideration.
2011-01-28
