AARP cancels Florida sweepstakes, blames new state gambling law

From Bradenton Herald

The law was quickly passed last month after the arrests of 57 people and the resignation of Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll in connection with St. Augustine-based Allied Veterans of the World, which operated a chain of strip-mall mini casinos or so-called “Internet cafes.”

To close what they said was a loophole exploited by some Internet café companies, lawmakers made sure to eliminate an exception for nonprofit groups that

conduct sweepstakes.

But that word change, along with a few others, put AARP’s contests potentially in jeopardy.

“AARP Florida was surprised by the consequences of this new law,” Jeff John-son, AARP Florida statedirector, said in a written statement to The Miami Herald.

“While we are disappointed for those of our members who won’t be able to participate in AARP’s contests or sweepstakes,” he said, “we are more concerned for how this could impact other nonprofit organizations across the state.”

Johnson said the situation was an “unintended consequence,” but only Florida — a retiree-heavy state with the second-largest number of AARP members — won’t be participating in its cash-reward contests.

That happens with some frequency in the Legislature, which often passes laws to address one situation only to find out that another group is affected.