FORT LAUDERDALE - For eight years, the state's growing gambling industry has faced
a staunch opponent in the governor's mansion.
Gov. Jeb Bush has never hidden his disdain for gambling, including his fight against
adding Las Vegas-style slot machines at Broward County pari-mutuel facilities. State
and Broward voters approved the machines, however, and he grudgingly signed the
law governing them.
But Bush is out in January because of term limits, and either Republican Charlie Crist
or Democrat Jim Davis will confront further growth attempts by the industry, which has
pumped big money into Florida's election.
Crist's campaign has received at least $5,000 from individuals with gambling
connections while the state Republican Party has received more than $125,000. Davis'
campaign has received at least $1,500 from individuals with gambling connections and
the state Democratic Party has received at least $250,000.
Despite those donations, both say they are opposed to further gambling in the state.
Tuesday's winner will also have to negotiate with Indian tribes over the Vegas-style
slots they'll be able to install in their casinos statewide because of the Broward vote.
"Neither Jim Davis nor Charlie Crist are pro-gambling, but either of them are less
vehemently anti-gambling than Jeb was," said state Sen. Steve Geller, D-Hallandale
Beach. A gaming supporter, he is crafting a bill to change some of the state's slot
machine regulations. "Neither of the two guys will be great for the industry."
The state already has poker, horse and dog racing and jai-alai, which saw $331 million
in wagers through the first eight months of the year. It also has untaxed "cruises to
nowhere" that provide Vegas-style gambling once they reach international waters.
The Indian casinos, including the thriving Seminole Hard Rock casinos in Tampa and
Hollywood and Miccosukee Indian Gaming west of Miami, have poker and video
lottery machines that are similar to slots. The Indian casinos do not pay state taxes
because they are owned by sovereign tribes - although other states have negotiated
deals allowing their tribes Vegas-style games like blackjack and roulette in exchange
for a tax. Bush's attempt to negotiate with Florida's tribes stalled earlier this year.
After the Florida Gaming Summit in Hollywood last month, a statement posted on its
Web site cited research from Wachovia Capital Markets that the estimated 6,000
Broward slot machines will generate at least $700 million in wagering annually. The
first are expected to open later this month.