Derby Lane wants to add 1,500 slot machines

By Preston Rudie
© St. Petersburg: WTSP (Ch. 10)
September 19, 2009

Officials with Derby Lane in St. Petersburg say they would like to add about 1,500 slot machines. Without the expanded gaming, track officials fear they will eventually be forced to close.

St. Petersburg, Florida - Derby Lane already offers betting on greyhound racing, simulcast wagering and poker, but the St. Petersburg track wants to add something else: slot machines.

Derby Lane Director of Communications Vera Filipelli tells 10 Connects they would like to add 1,500 class II slot machines. She says without them, the track will struggle to stay open.

"We're very concerned that we would eventually go out of business," Filipelli said.

Since the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino opened, business has declined at Derby Lane and Filipelli says now that the Seminole Tribe has added card games like blackjack, business at the track has really dropped.

"I mean, when they first started with the slots and stuff our business dropped about five percent. But since they went with the class III and everything we've dropped almost 23 percent."

A new compact worked out earlier this year between Governor Charlie Crist and the Seminole Tribe does not allow for most of the state's pari-mutuel sites like Derby Lane to add new games. However some argue the compact must still be approved by state legislature and that has yet to happen.

State Senator Charlie Justice says he's not sure if he's ready to support the new deal and is sympathetic the Derby Lane's situation. Justice adds he's not sure the money the Seminoles have agreed to pay the state is enough for the exclusive gaming rights the Tribe are getting.

"We have to think about, is this going to lock us in for... $150 million a year and is that enough? Should we get more money from them on this compact?" Justice told 10 Connects.

Justice says lawmakers will continue discussing the compact and the request by Derby Lane and other pari-mutuel sites to expand gaming in the coming weeks. But a Seminole Tribe spokesperson on Friday said they are not willing to comment on the situation.