Florida Passes Bill to Allow for Uncapped No-Limit Poker

Floridians are one step closer to “normal poker” in Florida.

The Sunshine State has had to endure watered-down poker for years, but poker players might finally get their wish soon. The Florida legislature passed a bill today that would eliminate the maximum buy-in for no-limit poker and get rid of the maximum bet per round in limit poker.

The legislation still has a few more hurdles to clear before it goes into effect, including an approval by the Seminole tribal nation, a new compact between the state and the Seminoles, and a final approval by the Florida legislature.

But there is no doubt that the bill passage by the two chambers was seen as a major success by those people favoring the expansion of gaming laws, including Florida governor Charlie Crist.

“I want to thank you for the Seminole contract,” Crist told members of the legislature today. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the children of Florida.”

The new bill is expected to generate at least $2.2 billion for public schools over the next 15 years, according to the Florida News-Press.

Previously, Florida law limited all buy-ins for no-limit poker to a maximum of $100 in the state, preventing casinos from offering deep-stack, high-stakes action.

Tournament poker limits have also been relaxed in the new bill.

However, not every aspect of the bill is good news for some poker players. The minimum age for gambling in Seminole casinos was moved up to 21 from 18 as a result of the legislation.

The legislation will also free up approximately $300 million in gambling proceeds for the current state budget of Florida.

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