Hot slots
Hot slots
Although Broward County voters approve racinos, Floridians continue to debate measure
Voters in Broward county in Florida passed a referendum for "Las Vegas-style" slot machines and casino gambling last month, but debate is far from over and proponents of casino gambling could face new challenges.
Voters in Broward approved slots by a 2-1 margin in March. But now the issue is in the hands of the state and legislators must now decide how many machines to allow at county racetracks and how much the machines will be taxed.
According to a report in South Florida's Sun-Sentinel, economists for the Legislature estimated that with a 50 percent tax on 1,700 machines at Gulfstream Park, Hollywood Greyhound, Pompano Harness and Dania Jai-Alai, only $300 million would be raised for state education-half of what has been promised.
Pompano alone has already indicated its intention to install up to 3,000 slots.
Another potential roadblock is with what kind of machines will be allowed. Even though proponents argue that voters approved "Las Vegas-style" slot machines, Gov. Jeb Bush, House leaders and other vocal opponents of the measures suggested that the state may want to redefine the slots voters approved as Class II machines, or bingo terminals in which prizes are awarded in tickets, not cash.
"You can't suddenly call an alligator a lizard," Jim Horne, a former state education commissioner and spokesman for the pro-slots campaign told the Sun-Sentinel. "Our side was always clear on what it means."
But Bush, who has halted attempts by Florida Indian tribes seeking to establish gaming compacts with the state, said he feels there was nothing in the amendment voters in Broward approved that prevented the state from re-classifying the games offered.
"Whether that happens or not remains to be seen," he said. "My position is that I'm against gambling in all forms. But I'm going to let the [legislative] process work."
Slot supporters are gearing up for a fight and said they are prepared to do battle at the legislative level or in the courts to ensure that voters get what they asked for.
"Class II is bingo. Period," said Ron Book, a lobbyist for the pro-slots campaign. "That's not what the public voted for, that's not what the public wanted, that's not what the public thinks they voted on, that's not what the campaign was based on and that's not what the [Florida Supreme] Court approved to go on the ballot."
-Andy Holtmann
Although Broward County voters approve racinos, Floridians continue to debate measure
Voters in Broward county in Florida passed a referendum for "Las Vegas-style" slot machines and casino gambling last month, but debate is far from over and proponents of casino gambling could face new challenges.
Voters in Broward approved slots by a 2-1 margin in March. But now the issue is in the hands of the state and legislators must now decide how many machines to allow at county racetracks and how much the machines will be taxed.
According to a report in South Florida's Sun-Sentinel, economists for the Legislature estimated that with a 50 percent tax on 1,700 machines at Gulfstream Park, Hollywood Greyhound, Pompano Harness and Dania Jai-Alai, only $300 million would be raised for state education-half of what has been promised.
Pompano alone has already indicated its intention to install up to 3,000 slots.
Another potential roadblock is with what kind of machines will be allowed. Even though proponents argue that voters approved "Las Vegas-style" slot machines, Gov. Jeb Bush, House leaders and other vocal opponents of the measures suggested that the state may want to redefine the slots voters approved as Class II machines, or bingo terminals in which prizes are awarded in tickets, not cash.
"You can't suddenly call an alligator a lizard," Jim Horne, a former state education commissioner and spokesman for the pro-slots campaign told the Sun-Sentinel. "Our side was always clear on what it means."
But Bush, who has halted attempts by Florida Indian tribes seeking to establish gaming compacts with the state, said he feels there was nothing in the amendment voters in Broward approved that prevented the state from re-classifying the games offered.
"Whether that happens or not remains to be seen," he said. "My position is that I'm against gambling in all forms. But I'm going to let the [legislative] process work."
Slot supporters are gearing up for a fight and said they are prepared to do battle at the legislative level or in the courts to ensure that voters get what they asked for.
"Class II is bingo. Period," said Ron Book, a lobbyist for the pro-slots campaign. "That's not what the public voted for, that's not what the public wanted, that's not what the public thinks they voted on, that's not what the campaign was based on and that's not what the [Florida Supreme] Court approved to go on the ballot."
-Andy Holtmann
