If the latest proposal in the Florida senate prevails, players would get to see No-Limit Poker within limits of Seminole Tribe resorts and parimutuel outlets across the state. Last week, the Senate unveiled a sweeping new plan to liberalize gaming laws in Florida, with the double aim of increasing revenue, as well as turning the state into a popular gaming destination.

At present, the Florida law restricts the maximum buy-in to $100 for no-limit poker players. Many players had complained that this law actually promotes more gambling since players can’t lose too much money on any given hand would risk all their chips in marginal situations. Poker pro and Florida native Vanessa Rousso argued that under the existing law in the State, expert players "don't have enough chips in front of them to play out the bets and raises that are required in the skillful aspect of the game."

The present proposal is aimed at hiking the limit for poker tournament buy-ins, a move that in likely to entice major televised poker tournaments to come calling to Florida.

In addition to increasing the buy-ins, the proposed new law would also lower the allowable gambling age to 18, alongside permitting Seminole resorts to add craps and roulette, effectively transforming the resorts into full-fledged casinos. It is expected that the new reforms would channelize about $1billion/year into the State coffers, which is already reeling under a present budget deficit in the tunes of $6 billion.

However, it does not appear to be a smooth sailing ahead for the new reforms muted, Governor Charlie Crist’s support for the Senate bill not withstanding. The state House had issued its own bill, apparently designed to move Florida gaming in just the opposite direction. The opposing bill not only intends to keep the current restrictions intact, but also wants to shut down all card games at every one of the Seminole resorts. If there is one aspect that could save the day for the game reform Senate bill, it is the fiscal realities that the State coffers face at the moment. After all, the lawmakers need to find ways to increase the revenue inflows sans tax hikes, and hence avoid facing the people’s wrath.

If the bill passes, "Poker would explode down here", said Wil Herrera, the Mardi Gras poker room manager.