TALLAHASSEE - State senators considering the taxing and regulation of slot machines coming to Broward County had several suggestions Tuesday: a tax rate of 30 to 35 percent, a limit on hours, no limit on the number of machines and bans on free drinks and gamblers under 21.
If lawmakers allow younger people into gambling areas of three tracks and a jai-alai fronton, parents will protest, Sen. Jim King told a meeting of the Senate Regulated Industries Committee. "We're going to have "United Parents Against Gambling' storming up here with placards."
The committee didn't vote on anything Tuesday but discussed issues to be covered in a bill to be voted on next week.
The counterpart committee in the House plans to vote on its proposed bill - more restrictive than what the Senate panel is likely to draft - today. A key difference: House leaders have proposed limiting the machines at the tracks and jai-alai fronton to video lottery terminals and electronic bingo - the so-called "class II" games already at Indian casinos.
The Senate committee didn't discuss that issue Tuesday. But Dennis Jones, R-Seminole, who chairs the committee, has said he thinks the term "slot machine" in a constitutional amendment voters approved last November clearly refers to a full-fledged traditional gambling machine like those found in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
Any tax revenues on the Broward slot machines are to be spent on schools statewide. The parimutuel industry has proposed a 30 percent tax rate, which King said is "way too low."
"This is supposed to be a boon for education," King said.
The House hasn't settled on a proposed tax rate.