TALLAHASSEE - Broward County's new slot machines would operate like electronic bingo
games instead of the traditional Las Vegas equipment under a bill approved Thursday by a
sharply divided House committee.
The measure, included in a sweeping bill that writes the rules for Florida's slot machines,
passed by a 10-9 vote of the House Business Regulation Committee..
By limiting slot machines to the Class II gambling now played at Indian gaming halls, the
state is in a better position to limit the expansion of gambling on Miccosukee and Seminole
reservations, said Rep. Juan Zapata, a Miami Republican who sponsored the amendment
to the bill..
The bingo-like machines look like electronic slot machines, but they allow players to
challenge each other rather than the house. They are expected to raise two-thirds of the
potential revenue of the higher-stakes Las Vegas-style machines for the parimutuel owners
who will operate them, Zapata said..
Gov. Jeb Bush and House leaders support the move to classify slot machines as Class II
equipment, because that classification limits the expansion of gambling and gives the state
better leverage when it is compelled to enter into negotiations with Indian tribes that want
to get Class III gaming -- including blackjack, roulette and craps..
But opponents say the House plan betrays Broward County voters -- who approved
allowing slots at the county's four parimutuel facilities in a March 8 referendum -- and goes
against the intent of voters statewide who thought they were allowing the counties to
authorize full-fledged slot machines..
''You have to give the voters what they want,'' said Rep. Susan Goldstein, a Weston
Republican. ``They didn't ask for bingo machines. They asked for slot
machines.''.
The measure barely passed the committee: House leaders had to summon Rep. Marco
Rubio, the House's policy and procedures chairman, to the hearing to break a potential tie
vote..
Supporters of the slots initiative said they were discouraged by the House committee's vote
but vowed to change it as it moves through two more committees..
''This bill benefits the tribes more than it benefits us,'' said Ron Book, lobbyist for Flagler
Dog Track and a coalition of dog and horse tracks and jai-alai fronton owners. ``But it's a
work in progress. We will continue to work for a fair bill.''.
The decision over slot equipment isn't the only provision in the House bill that the industry
dislikes. The proposal includes a sliding tax rate that would range from 35 percent to 45
percent, depending on how many machines a facility installs. Facilities would be allowed no
more than 3,000 machines each, and those that have fewer machines would be taxed less
than those with more..
Broward County schools would receive $1,500 in annual income from each machine that a
parimutuel installs, and the state would receive $2.5 million in start-up licensing fees from
each parimutuel for regulation and oversight..
Broward's four facilities could operate up to 14 hours a day weekdays and around-the-clock
on weekends..
After an hour of deliberation, the debate over regulating the industry erupted into a bitter
fight with the horse tracks and breeders facing off against the jai-alai and dog track
operators over a plan to pool their purses..
Thoroughbred owners said they joined the parimutuel coalition in October with the
understanding that parimutuels would pool their purse money and give a greater share in
prizes to the horses, whose training and breeding expenses are greater..
Their goal, they said, is to increase the prize winnings to draw higher-quality horses and to
be more competitive against tracks in other states. Dog and jai-alai owners, however, said
they want to keep their own purse money..
Rep. Thad Altman, a Melbourne Republican, tried to resolve the dispute but withdrew his
proposal when he didn't have the votes..