Frank R Wolf News

Legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.) could severely damage Florida's offshore gaming industry. Under existing federal law, offshore gaming in international waters is legal, unless state pass laws specifically prohibiting the activity. Wolf's bill (H.R. 316) would reverse the situation, requiring states wanting offshore casino boats to pass laws allowing them. However, state assistant attorney general Jon Glogau said passage of the Wolf bill would instantly nullify the 1987 amendment by then-state Sen. Gwen Margolis, which allowed day-cruise gaming. Unless Florida passed a new law after enactment of the Wolf bill, day-cruise gaming would be illegal.

U.S. Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.) introduced legislation (H.R. 316) that threatens to halt, and even reverse the expansion of the offshore gaming industry. Under existing law, offshore gaming in international water is legal, unless states pass laws specifically prohibiting the activity. Wolf's bill would reverse the situation, requiring states that want offshore casino vessels pass laws to allow them. Offshore gaming operations would be outlawed in states that have not passed laws to legalize them.