Orange County Commissioner Ted Edwards (District 5) would like to see the county ban internet cafe gambling because of the criminality which surrounds the activity.
On Tuesday, Edwards, who sent a memorandum to Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs requesting a Board discussion on the issue, proposed that an ordinance be adopted to prohibit cafe simulated internet gambling.
“Virtual gambling should be viewed in Orange County the same as other forms of gambling with regard to the safety and well being of those who engage in it and the lawless activity that surrounds it,” Edwards said.
In his memo to Jacobs, Edwards also pointed out that other counties and municipalities–Seminole County, Winter Garden and Maitland–had implemented policies to ban the practice.
Edwards added that internet cafe gambling which is on the rise in Orange County tended to victimize lower income individuals that can least afford it.
“..I request a Commissioner’s Report to discuss with the BCC review and inclusion of additional language prohibiting cafe internet simulated gambling within the County’s ordinances and possible change to the County’s Charter to make the prohibition Countywide,” Edwards said his his memo to Jacobs.
