TALLAHASSEE, FL -- By a margin of almost two to one, the Florida House of Representatives voted on March 1 to pass a statewide ban on Internet-based sweepstakes videogames and the so-called cafés that are their best-known locations.
The chief sponsor of House Bill 3, Rep. Scott Plakon (R-Longwood), introduced the measure last year. It won its first key committee vote almost a year ago. | SEE STORY
Plakon estimated last year that sweepstakes videogames, which he terms a "predatory" form of gambling, generate $1 billion a year in Florida. Various sources estimate that Florida is home to more than 1,000 sweeps venues.
Some legislators said the companion Senate bill, SB 576, faces near-certain failure because many senators believe sweeps games should regulated and taxed.
Sarah Bascom, a spokesperson for the Coalition of Florida's Internet Cafés, said the sweepstakes videogame business employs nearly 13,000 people statewide. CFIC supports a uniform code of regulation and taxation, she said.
