(In full disclosure, I love the Seminole Hard Rock. And, blackjack.) OK, call my a cynic or just an ahole, but this is by far the best headline from Today: Blackjack Addiction on the Rise in Florida
I don't mean to make light of anyone who has ever had to struggle with a gambling addiction, and I do believe that it is a legitimate addiction. But, who at the Miami Herald came up with this story? As the report goes, blackjack addiction in Florida is not only on the rise, but surpassing, poker. Blackjack debuted just last year as legal gambling here in the Sunshine state (Slots be darned, grandma!). The Herald goes on to discuss the profiles of addicts, and other profiles generally negative towards the Seminoles' casino, which, are, in fairness, the only facilities where blackjack is legal.
But, there's too much that the Herald article fails to mention. The state depends on gambling- blackjack included. Yes, Florida depends on the revenues generated by the Seminole casinos. Charlie Crist himself favors approving a contract with the Seminole tribe that would supposedly get the state $288m right away with another $100m every year for the next 50 years- that's $288m that could save your kid's 5 day school week, keep running Amber alerts, pay for your area's highway patrolman, or help to fix local roads. For their part, Republicans in the legislature have balked at the idea- but they've also balked at raising your taxes so we're in a bit of a budgetary pickle.
So here's my peace: Florida needs the money. $288m is a good amount of money, in a time where this state is downright struggling. Is gambling bad and leading people- like those in the original Herald piece- to make bad decisions? Absolutely. But, it's already legal, and without the Seminole pact, more programs will have to be cut. The point is that our budget projections- as bad and dire as they are- already include this money; imagine life without it?
But, the Herald doesn't discuss any of this. Of course not.
I have a few issues with Florida gambling laws. The main issue is that Blackjack is a house game while poker is a parimutuel game, which means in Blackjack you play against the house whereas in poker you play other players. Yet, with blackjack in Florida you can bet any amount while with poker you can only buy in a maximum of $100. This puts poker players at a major disadvantage and the house at an advantage, since the house takes a percentage of each pot.
There is an ongoing legal battle with the Seminole tribe about blackjack, but I think since the governor supports their position no law enforcement is being sent in to stop it.
I have worked as a poker dealer in Florida for over a year, and I wish they would get some uniformity in the legal system regarding table and card games.