On Wednesday, a Florida Senate panel approved two controversial gambling bills, paving the way for a future floor vote. The Senate Regulated Industries Committee passed a bill related to online gambling and a bill related to dog racing tracks. Though both bills advanced, their counterparts in the House have not yet been scheduled for a hearing.

The online gambling bill, SB 812, was approved by a 10-2 vote. That bill would legalize and regulate intrastate online gambling. Senator Miguel Diaz (R-Miami) said that it was a necessary step since Floridians are already gambling online, but the state is losing out on the tax revenue and is unable to make sure the available websites are safe. The bill has been and will continue to be opposed by anti-gambling groups, with most feeling that allowing gambling to be done online will increase the occurrences of underage gambling and problem gambling.

The other bill, SB 1594, passed by a 7-5 vote. The bill, sponsored by Senator Maria Sachs (D-Delray Beach), would eliminate the current requirement that greyhound tracks offer live dog races in order to operate card rooms. Sachs believes that the tracks can make more money if they hold fewer races but are still able to operate the card rooms. She also said that despite a low interest in greyhound races, the dogs are constantly run – perhaps too often – so the card rooms can be run.

Opponents of the bill say that it will hurt the greyhound racing industry, thinking that most of the tracks will opt to entirely end races. That will end a $50-million-per-year industry and put many dog breeders and owners out of business. Senator Sachs says that it is necessary to save “a dying industry in this state.”

Spain, like the United States, has had a ban on online gambling. However, the Spanish government is taking steps to legalize and regulate the online gambling industry. As the market begins to open up, online casinos are rushing to get their place at the table. Two online casino giants, Bwin and William Hill, are currently under negotiations for licensing deals. Studies say that Spain has a potential a market of 50 million people. Bwin and William Hill want to be the first online casinos to hit the market, giving them an early competitive advantage.

 Spain’s move to legalize online gambling is in response to the European Union claim that the ban on online gambling violates EU trade agreements. The United States has been criticized of the same thing in regards to trade agreements within the World Trade Organization. With the possibility of America legalizing gambling soon as well – with a bill to repeal the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) currently in the House of Representatives – you can bet that the US would face a similar licensing rush from casinos. Most people believe that the US would give preference to current land-based casinos for licensing, though it would have to allow some foreign online casinos to abide by its trade agreements.

 Until then, Spain is the new pretty girl in the class and all of the online casinos want to meet her and get her phone number. Bwin and William Hill are the first to start talking to her, but expect the shyer casinos to say hello soon.