The Troubling Decision on Internet Sweepstake Cafes

Cities across Florida have been dealing with the gray area of law that new internet sweepstake cafes seem to fall into. Here in Tarpon Springs, we are pushing for a moratorium on all applications for such cafes, either until the County or State makes a move. There are a few troubling things I find with these actions... Locally, I would like to see my representatives stand up, or at the very least have an opportunity for a discussion on the matter where public input can be heard. On a wider scale, more troubling to me, is the idea that we will ban these cafes, and the House has moved quickly to do so. Basically, my question in all of this is: Why are we interfering in business' capacity to make a profit and provide a service to consenting adults who are willing and voluntarily “gamble” their money?

Tarpon Springs City Attorney supported the 6 month moratorium on cafe applications, saying something to the effect of, “Let the State and/or County deal with the lawsuits.” While I can understand his concerns, I believe only through some kind of zoning alterations can we alter these businesses and stop them from coming in to certain areas. I am not necessarily opposed to Tarpon Springs, here on a local level, trying to restrict the businesses in that fashion. What I do have an issue with is legislatively halting the market from finding profit with consenting adults in a sluggish economy like this. I also would hope, despite threats of lawsuits, our BOC would make a stand and come down on one side of the issue instead of towing the line. We do not elect our representatives to make easy decisions and pass the buck up the chain for the hard ones. Like I said, I completely understand the concern with these businesses, and with local action to either prevent or seemingly endorse them. On the other hand, I do not see many options other than letting them be. While the Florida statute is unclear, it is up to local authorities to interpret, or initiate their own legislation.

It is my personal belief that government, on any level, has no right to interfere with businesses who are not coercing individuals or doing any harm to anyone. Locally, we have zoning that can control what kinds of businesses fit into certain zoning districts. Outside of that though, I believe the authorities cannot do more. Last week, the State House began the process and passed a ban on these sweepstake cafes. While this kind of regulation on gambling is not new, I think it sheds light on an important issue; Does government or should government attempt to regulate behavior of individuals who are acting independently and knowingly? In this case, is it the governments role or right to ban businesses from operating in an attempt to stop individuals from gambling? I do not believe that is the role or intent of government. I believe in something called the non-coercive axiom, which basically states all coercive force is wrong except in self defense. Applied to this issue, government should not be inflicting force on business owners by closing them down or halting the openings of these cafes. Individuals should have the right to choose where they want to spend their money, as long as they do not inflict on the liberties of other individuals.

I believe a solution can be a compromise, for the benefit of business owner, individual, government, and community alike. Zoning districts are already setup in a fashion to keep these businesses in certain areas and away from our historical downtown (My understanding anyway, if I am wrong we need to reconsider our codes). So, instead of doing the immoral thing and banning these businesses and punishing entrepreneurs, can't we regulate and collect taxes and fees from these institutions to better community initiatives? Locally, let's setup a new kind of license for these businesses, that they must pay every year on top of other taxes, and which goes to community initiatives in the impoverished neighborhoods or promoting education. The best regulation against undesirable behavior is with educating our youth. In this scenario, we are accomplishing more goals, allowing more people to have access to jobs in these cafes, and promoting individual liberty for people to choose how they spend their money. We all have certain morals and beliefs which dictate how we live our lives, but we cannot use force to make someone make better choices in their life, unless they have infringed upon the liberties of someone else. Do not ban these cafes, stand up, and regulate them.