Gov. Jeb Bush to sign law that will allow Slot Machines
As published recently in the Daytona Beach News, Gov. Jeb Bush said he will sign into law rules allowing for Las Vegas-style slot machines in four Fort Lauderdale area betting sites.
The instillation of the machines will conclude a long battle between supporters who argue that their revenue will save the parks and those morally opposed to gambling, including the governor. The affected locations, which have been beset by declining attendance, are thoroughbred racing's Gulfstream Park, Dania Jai-Alai, Pompano Park harness racing and Hollywood Greyhound Track.
The battle over state law began last year when voters statewide passed an initiative allowing Broward and Miami-Dade counties to decide whether they should allow slot machines. Broward voters earlier this year approved slots, but Miami-Dade voters rejected them.
The Legislature was supposed to pass regulations for the slots during its annual session last spring, but failed. In a special session that ended Thursday, the state House and Senate passed the regulations that include one of the highest slot machine taxes in the country and a limit of 1,500 machines at each site.
Bush said he would sign the bill because he doesn't have much choice. The courts were prepared to let the slots be installed without state action, because of the Broward voters' approval.
"It's not going to feel good," Bush said. "I just don't think this is right for our state. ... The fact that there's going to be a bunch of slot machines in Broward County doesn't warm my heart."
The machines should be installed by summer.
The pari-mutuel facilities will pay a 50 percent tax on profits from the machines, which will raise an estimated $200 million to $300 million a year for public schools statewide.
Of eight states that have approved slots at pari-mutuels, only two have a higher tax rate -- Rhode Island and New York, which have each set a 61 percent rate.
Vegas-style slots are already available to Florida gamblers onboard ships that take passengers three miles out to sea, outside state jurisdiction. In addition, gambling machines that resemble slot machines but are based on bingo are already operating at Indian casinos in the state. Under separate federal law, the Indian casinos will now be able to negotiate with the state on installing slot machines of their own.
