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Capitol
2010 Legislative Preview: Setting the Table
A look at the key issues that will shape the next session, which starts in March.
Gambling
 On the agenda: A comprehensive review of the state’s gaming policy. [Photo: iStock] |
Open Gaming?
With Gov. Charlie Crist’s Seminole gambling deal all but dead, House Speaker Larry Cretul (R-Ocala) and Rep. Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton), the Legislature’s chief gaming negotiator, are planning to conduct a comprehensive review of state’s gaming policy to try to decide what the state’s $7-billion gambling industry should look like and how it should be structured to optimize revenue for the state.
The 20-year compact crafted by Crist would have allowed the tribe to operate slot machines and blackjack tables at its seven Florida casinos in exchange for $150 million a year to the state. But lawmakers rejected that deal, arguing that it would adversely impact the state’s already struggling pari-mutuel industry.
While Crist continues to press the Seminole’s case, the pari-mutuel industry is asking lawmakers to level the playing field by reducing their tax rates and allowing them to expand their operations to include slot machines and other Las Vegas-style games. At the same time, some of the nation’s largest casino operators have been trying to persuade Florida lawmakers to auction off full casino licenses regionally around the state so they can operate full blown casinos and
create destination gaming resorts.
Marc Dunbar, a gaming expert who also teaches gambling and pari-mutuel law at Florida State University’s law school, says voters will likely weigh in on the controversial debate. In order to get the conservative caucus of the Republican Party to agree to any potential gaming expansion in the state, “it’s going to have to have a local option, where the county has to affirmatively ratify any type of gaming expansion.”
