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The Florida House has voted to ban all internet cafes. The vote comes less than two weeks after a massive police investigation shut down 51 internet cafes statewide. As Whitney Ray tell us, the only votes against the ban came from lawmakers concerned about how the bill would affect adult arcades and jobs.

Through loopholes in state law… internet cafes have popped up all over Florida. The sweepstakes businesses continued to boom… until this month…. when a police investigation shut down 51 cafes statewide.

Days later state lawmakers resurrected a bill to ban all internet cafes. Friday debated over the ban erupted on the house Floor.

“It would be derelict of us not to deal with these,” said Representative Dennis Baxley.

“Why jump to making it illegal when the standard is simply to regulate it and tax it,” said Representative Elanie Schwartz.

Watching all the action… Former Representative Scott Plakon… who ushered the ban through the House last year.

“The House of Representatives last year, under the work of Representative Plakon, thank you for being here today, pushed it out,” said Patronis.

Member after member thanked Plakon.

“I also want to recognize Representative Scott Plakon for his strong leadership in the past several years,” said Representative Janet Adkins.

There were complaints from Democrats that the ban goes too far, too fast.

“What took place as it relates to internet cafes has nothing to do with the senior arcades,” said Representative Jim Waldman.

After the debate, the bill passed with few no votes. Now the ban goes to the Senate, where earlier this week internet café owners cried for mercy. Linda Radssek is one over several café owners preparing to give their staff bad news.

“I have to go to work now and tell my employees, you don’t have a job,” said Radssek.

Her last hope is the Florida Senate.