Lawmaker calls for Internet cafe crackdown after arrests

[JonLP24]

Source: USA Today

Gambling accusations, non-profit-status questions show need to step back, state senator says.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Wednesday's resignation of Florida's lieutenant governor and the arrests of almost five dozen people in six states shows the need for a crackdown on Internet cafes in Florida, a prominent state senator said.

Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll, 53, submitted her resignation letter Tuesday afternoon amid a state and federal investigation into a chain of Internet cafes she once represented called Allied Veterans of the World, a charity based in St. Augustine, Fla.

<snip>

Last month, Thrasher pitched a bill that would place a moratorium on Internet cafes, saying they harbored illegal gambling. Carroll's resignation and the investigation of Allied Veterans of The World proves changes must be made, he said.

<snip>

The Coalition of Florida's Internet Cafes, an informal trade group, said the promotions they offer have been legal in the state since 1971 and are not gambling, according to their website. They say the games promote the sale of telephone minutes and Internet time.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/03/13/florida-lieutenant-governor-internet-cafes/1985331/

[KamaAina]

1. Internet cafes? Did Florida not "spring forward"?

For the past fifteen years or so?

[slackmaster]

2. Captain Renault is shocked.

[secondvariety]

3. And

he's rounding up the usual suspects.

[yellowcanine]

4. "They say the games promote the sale of telephone minutes and Internet time."

Of course they do. I am SHOCKED that anyone would think that a game called "Money Bunny" or "Captain Cash" are not for telephone minutes and internet time. SHOCKED, I tell ya!