In Havana, Florida, residents have raised concerns about the proliferation of internet cafes that, according to the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC), operate illegally. WTXL in Tallahassee reported that these establishments offer slot machine gaming without proper licensing, a practice against Florida law.
Jefferey Jacobs, a Havana resident who previously lived in West Palm Beach, expressed his confusion about the nature of these cafes. In West Palm Beach, casinos operate as “legitimate type[s] of operation,” but the situation in Havana seems different. “I most definitely was confused. I didn’t know exactly what they were supposed to be,” Jacobs said.
The FGCC has clarified any internet cafes offering gambling in Havana are illegal. Eric Carr, the Director of External Affairs of the FGCC, explained that these establishments are unlicensed and engage in slot machine gaming, which is only legal in certain designated areas in Florida. “They are just robbing and stealing from Floridians,” Carr stated.
Slot machines in Florida are strictly regulated and legally permitted only in eight facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties and at specific Indian tribal facilities. However, none of these internet cafes are legal in Gadsden County, where Havana is located.
Carr also noted a trend where internet cafes target lower-income and rural communities. These areas, known for high lottery play, are seen as potential hubs for illegal gambling. “They also target lower-income neighborhoods that play the lottery in high numbers because they know those neighborhoods are going possibly going to go into those facilities and gamble illegally,” Carr remarked.
During its investigation, WTXL confirmed the presence of at least three such cafes along Highway 27, just outside the city limit. Carr disclosed that there are at least eight operating near Havana. He acknowledged the time-consuming nature of investigating these establishments, contributing to some remaining open.
Carr warned the public against using these machines, citing the lack of consumer protection. “If you see these machines, do not gamble. You will have zero consumer protection, and they can literally throw you out of the establishment and not give you a dime, and there’s nothing the state or local police can do,” he advised.
Neighborhood residents like Jacobs agree that these cafes are unsuitable for the community. The FGCC provides a public complaint portal on its website for reporting illegal gambling activities anonymously, enabling the commission to investigate such reports.
