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Florida Law May Accidentally Ban Computers and Smartphones

Posted by Soulskill on from the language-should-not-be-wielded-like-a-blunt-instrument dept.

GrueMaster writes "Did Florida ban computers and smartphones? They tried banning Internet Cafes, but the wording in the law is overly broad. '... it's the wording that's problematic, as it defines a slot machine as "any machine or device or system or network of devices" that can be used in games of chance. Turns out the Internet is full of gambling sites, which is where the definition runs into some problems. Consuelo Zapata, owner of the Miami-Dade county Internet cafe Incredible Investments, LLC, is suing the state (PDF) to overturn the ban, saying that definition is too broad and could be applied to any number of electronic devices. "

10 of 238 comments (clear)

  1. Florida by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Florida is a stupid as Texas, and twice as swampy.

  2. Computers are a passing fad by jfdavis668 · · Score: 5, Funny

    They will be forgotten in a few years...

  3. Banning loose change? by Tea-Bone+of+Brooklyn · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Talk about overly broad, isn't a coin a device that can be used in a game of chance?

  4. This _AND_ sex by tgetzoya · · Score: 5, Interesting

    http://gawker.com/5800990/did-florida-accidentally-ban-sex So, what is there left to do in Florida? Die?

  5. Fark by bmo · · Score: 5, Funny

    There are reasons why Florida has its own tag on Fark.

    This is one of them.

    --
    BMO

  6. Re:florida's governor is a criminal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I don't think "criminal" was the profanity that he had in mind.

    Well what the fuck was the profanity he had in mind?!!!

  7. Re: florida's governor is a criminal by Georules · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The internet cafes in Florida are not like internet cafes in countries outside of the USA. The computers there were literally there to be gambling machines. One such "internet cafe" near me was called "Lucky Day Internet Sweepstakes." I have also been to some of the internet cafes in London and found them to be convenient as a tourist.

  8. Re: florida's governor is a criminal by DragonTHC · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Well Florida is the "right to scam" state.

    As a naturalized FL native, I can honestly say I've seen scammers at work. I've contracted for scammers, I've been stiffed contracting payment by scammers. I've been paid by scammers for legitimate work.

    Florida is the place everyone comes to bleed through investors before opening up a new LLC when the money runs dry. I've seen it in at least 3 separate occasions over the past 10 years. Some businesses will change names and locations when they stiff too many people. They still called to get new cables run for their new offices.

    Lest you forget about FL pill mills.

    So when the state tries to ban Internet cafes, despite the verbiage being off, it's a good thing. Such businesses exist only to scam people.

    --
    They're using their grammar skills there.
  9. Re:florida's governor is a criminal by TheCarp · · Score: 5, Informative

    Isn't he the one who pushed for all people on welfare to be drug tested....by the company his wife owns? Cha-ching!

    --
    "I opened my eyes, and everything went dark again"
  10. Re:florida's governor is a criminal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well what the fuck was the profanity he had in mind?!!!

    "Rick Scott"