by: Gene Koprowski.
A state Senate committee in Florida
last week moved an expansive piece of legislation gambling that will
transform Seminole resorts into full casinos with craps, roulette,
blackjack and no-limit poker, and reset the legal gambling age in the
state.
South Florida racetracks would, for the first time, be authorized to operate blackjack tables. Also part of the lengthy package is a provision that would create a uniform 18-year-old minimum age to gamble.
Under current Florida law, 18-year-olds can bet on greyhounds and horses or play poker. But they have to be 21 to play slots, blackjack and baccarat, so-called Class III games as seen in Vegas casinos.
"We wanted it to be uniform all the way across the board," said Sen. Dennis Jones (R-Seminole), chairman of the Regulated Industries Committee that approved the gambling package Wednesday. "We felt that 18 was a good age."
Gambling has grown dramatically because of televised, high-stakes Texas Hold 'Em poker tournaments and the popularity of online gambling, experts say.
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