Slot Issue Moves Ahead

  • GAMBLING - Article #1
    Tentative deal on slot machines could bring Dade $10 million a year Miami-Dade County has reached an agreement with three parimutuel sites to allow Las Vegas-style slot machines -- but first commissioners must OK a public vote likely to be held March 8.

  • GAMBLING - Article #2
    Broward County officials reached a tentative agreement Friday with the pari-mutuel industry that paves the way for a special election in March on allowing slot machines and could eventually bring $30 million a year in revenue to local government.

  • GAMBLING - Article #3
    Let's roll dice and hope the state comes up a winner!

  • GAMBLING - Article #4
    Miami-Dade sets March 8 for vote on slot machines!
    March 8 aslo set for vote in Broward!

  • GAMBLING - Article #5
    School Board not ready to gamble on slots!
    (Jan. 22, 2005 - latest twist!)

  • GAMBLING - Article #6
    Give Voters The Details! Now that the Broward County and Miami-Dade County Commissions have bought into a game of "voters-go-first," the public is right to at least demand an educated guess.
    (Jan. 24, 2005 - latest twist!)

  • GAMBLING - Article #7 & Article #8
    Tribes say vote entitles them to install slots (Jan. 26, 2005)
    House panel dives into issue of South Florida slot machines (Jan. 25, 2005)

  • GAMBLING - Article #9
    School Board chairwoman opposes slots proposal.Kraft seeks bigger share for Broward.
  • GAMBLING - Article #10
    Broward School Board eases stance on slot machines

  • GAMBLING - Article #11
    Miccosukees Seek OK For Slot Machines

  • GAMBLING - Article #12
    Slots only halfway to passage; now's time for ugly details!

  • GAMBLING - Article #13
    SCHOOLS: Consultants might be key to boards' stances on slots

  • GAMBLING - Article #14
    A losing hand - Gambling poses a threat to Florida

  • GAMBLING - Article #15
    Clock ticks on Bush's gambling decision
    ( Monday - Feb. 07, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #16
    Broward, Miami-Dade voters flying blind with slot machine referendum
    ( Wednesday - February 9, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #17
    State details slots bucks, tourism shift
    Slot machines In Broward and Miami-Dade would likely be a cash cow for South Florida, but at the risk of siphoning off tourist revenue elsewhere in the state.
    ( Wednesday - February 9, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #18
    Dog tracks race to draw visitors
    The Sanford-Orlando Kennel Club tries to keep patrons' interest despite fears of possible competition from slots in South Florida.
    ( Wednesday - February 9, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #19
    SLOTS REFERENDUM: Detailed Bills Are Best Bet
    ( Saturday - February 12, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #20
    Slots hinge on Legislature
    The biggest wild card in the fate of slot machines in South Florida is a skeptical Florida Legislature, which will have the final say.
    ( Sunday, Feb. 13, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #21
    Florida PTA kicks off campaign against slots
    Broward School Board chief, county's mayor join effort ahead of vote ( Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #22
    Additional Articles In Miami Herald (4 More )
    In an effort to present all sides of the issue to you , these additional articles are included from the Miami Hearld that have appeared in February.

  • GAMBLING - Article #23
    Broward School Board members slam gambling industry on slots proposal
    ( Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #24
    Slot Machines' Jackpot of Worms
    ( Wedesday, Feb. 16, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #25
    City antes up $50,000 to fight slots
    ( Thursday, Feb. 17, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #26
    Dade mayor is opposed to slot machine measure
    Few elected officials have spoken out against the slots measure in Miami-Dade, but county Mayor Carlos Alvarez said he plans to vote against it.
    ( Friday, Feb. 18, 2005 )
  • GAMBLING - Article #27
    Pro-slot political group raises millions
    The gambling industry has contributed $3.7 million to its pro-slot campaign. So far, antislot organizations have not filed fundraising reports.
    ( Saturday, Feb. 19, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #28
    Slots camps gearing up for big push at the polls
    Both supporters and critics of a move to put slot machines at local parimutuels are ramping up their efforts as early voting begins Monday in Miami-Dade and Broward.
    ( Sunday, Feb. 20, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #29
    Early voting opens to a light turnout
    ( Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #30 Trickle of voters at polls first day for slots
    ( Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #31
    Hollywood officials greedy about slots
    ( Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #32 March 8 Referendum: Slots drive draws big players
    The pro-slots coalition retained numerous consultants to urge voters to the polls, but one prominent Miami lawyer avoided a potential conflict by turning down an offer.
    ( Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #33 March 8 Referendum: Slots or not? Debates rage in Broward
    Two debates kicked off the frenetic campaign season leading up to the March 8 vote on whether to allow slot machines in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
    ( Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #34 March 8 Referendum: How to split the pot would be next hurdle
    A battle brews over how to divide potential slot-machine revenue among the state's 67 school districts.
    ( Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #35
    Supporters, foes on slot-machine issue agree Legislature can't be trusted
    ( Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #36
    Two Readers Opinions
    ( Wednesday, February 23, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #37
    Legislators may use slot profits for private school vouchers, pre-K
    ( Wednesday, February 23, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #38
    Supporters, foes on slot-machine issue agree Legislature can't be trusted
    ( Wednesday, February 23, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #39
    Gambling foes start anti-slots campaign through e-mails, voter guides
    ( Wednesday, February 23, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #40
    School Board Chairwoman cool to slots pitchSlot-machine advocates hoping to blunt criticism from School Board Chairwoman Stephanie Kraft can't sway her without a guarantee of money for Broward schools. Parimutuel interests say they can't make that guarantee.
    ( Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #41
    March 8 Election: Slots backers spend freelyA big-bucks campaign for slot machines means backers can afford to hire paid canvassers from Washington, D.C., with experience getting out the presidential vote.
    ( Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #42
    Editorial: Most counties could lose on slots gamble
    ( Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #43
    Keep Promises For Schools
    ( Thursday, February 24, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #44
    Gambling industry deceiving public about job creation, slot machine foes say
    ( Thursday, February 24, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #45
    Slots campaign accused of 'buying votes' with checks to leaders
    ( Thursday, February 24, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #46
    Gambling: Bush's letter slams slots drive
    Gov. Bush sent a letter to the Christian Coalition of South Florida decrying the gambling industry's campaign tactics in a push to have slot machines approved. It also warns of even more gambling expansion. ( Friday, February 25, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #47
    Lawmakers struggle with slots, Bush ponders tribal gaming
    ( Saturday, February 26, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #48
    Brave pair battle against slots
    ( Saturday, February 26, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #49
    South Florida weighs parimutuel gamble - AN EDITORIAL
    ( Sunday, February 27, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #50
    Upcoming vote won't derail Indian casino slots, experts say
    ( Sunday, February 27, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #51
    Miami representative joins fight against slot machines
    ( Monday, February 28, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #52
    Slots backers, foes ready to face off
    ( Monday, February 28, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #53
    Slot machine vote could open door to rest of state
    ( Monday, February 28, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #54
    Slots foes make a late run
    After weeks of slick mailers and TV spots from well-funded gambling interests, opponents of slot machines got a boost. ( Tuesday, March 01, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #55
    Slots rivals fight over studies
    With a vote on the slots initiatives coming up next week, pro- and anti-gambling forces trot out dueling studies on the social costs of gambling.( Tuesday, March 01, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #56
    Pari-mutuel slot machines could capsize S. Florida's gambling cruises
    ( Tuesday, March 01, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #57
    Gov. Bush to join anti-slots campaign with televised appeals
    ( Tuesday, March 01, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #58
    Say No To Slots, Bush Advises
    ( Wesnesday, March 02, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #59
    Pro-slots groups flood elections office with absentee ballot requests
    ( Wednesday, March 02, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #60
    Some see hope for dogs, horses - Activists want slots measure to aid animals
    ( Wednesday, March 02, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #61
    Port of Palm Beach worries that slots vote could hurt day-cruise indistry
    ( Wednesday, March 02, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #62
    Debate brews over casino tax rate
    In South Florida, pro-slots forces are pushing for the lowest tax rate in the nation for racetracks-turned-casinos. But lawmakers in Tallahassee have other ideas.
    ( Wednesday, March 02, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #63
    Governor to campaign in S. Fla. against slots
    Saying he planned to get 'more involved' in the uphill anti-slot campaign, Gov. Bush cited fears that gambling would increase across Florida.
    ( Wednesday, March 02, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #64
    Some fear spread of slot machines will aggravate retirees' gambling problems
    ( Thursday, March 03, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #65
    Proposed slots schools payout comes up a loser
    ( Thursday, March 03, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #66
    Dozens of felons now working at parimutuels
    ''We want the strongest law in terms of who can work and be in the business.-- Ron Book, chief lobbyist for the pro-slots, gambling industry.''
    ( Thursday, March 03, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #67
    State gives a lift to slots foes
    State election officials say it's improper for Miami-Dade and Broward to use gambling industry money to pay for Tuesday's elections on slots, but local leaders say county governments are paying.
    ( Thursday, March 03, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #68
    City to receive part of track's profit from slots
    The Miami Gardens City Council recently approved an agreement with Calder Race Course that would give the city a percentage of the establishment's profits from slot machines if Amendment 4 passes Tuesday.
    ( Thursday, March 03, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #69
    House speaker joins anti-slots campaign
    North Florida gambling foe will support governor, enhance image. ( Friday, March 04, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #70
    Ruling on slots ads deals a setback to gambling foes
    ( Friday, March 04, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #71
    TV ads: Lots of slots spots thicken plot
    Television commercials on both sides of the slot machine debate will dominate the airwaves the weekend leading up to Tuesday's gambling vote.
    ( Friday, March 04, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #72
    Bush concedes pro-slots forces are ahead
    Pro-gaming groups raise nearly $7 million in campaign
    ( Saturday, March 05, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #73
    Bush battles big spending over slots
    Machine backers raise $7 million; governor tours two counties.
    ( Saturday, March 05, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #74
    Party leader, lobbyist spar over slots endorsement
    ( Saturday, March 05, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #75
    EDITORIAL: Slots Too Big A Gamble
    ( Saturday, March 05, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #76
    2 views on slots divide officials
    City opposes machines but chamber backs measure
    ( Saturday, March 05, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #78 & 79 (same)
    Bankrolling the slots battle
    Financial disclosure forms released Friday show that Gov. Jeb Bush has had a major impact on the slot machine debate, despite his late entry.
    ( Saturday, March 05, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #80
    Gov. Bush criticizes push for gambling
    Gov. Jeb Bush blasted slot machines in a South Florida campaign swing against the referendums, warning crime rates will spike and Miami-Dade and Broward counties won't see promised benefits.
    ( Saturday, March 05, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #81
    Lawmakers Say They're Ready for Another Round in Gambling Fight
    ( Sunday, March 06, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #82
    Slots spin big dreams, casino profits
    Easy to play and lucrative for casino owners, slot machines employ bells and whistles de- signed to entertain and entice.
    ( Sunday, March 06, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #83
    Voters taking a gamble on slot machines
    World reknown author Carl Hiaasen, a Miami Herald columinist - even has an opinion!
    ( Sunday, March 06, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #84
    Slots are a gamble, some residents feel
    The possibility of slot machines at Calder Race Course makes some Miami Gardens residents worry about crime and traffic congestion, while others would welcome their arrival.
    ( Sunday, March 06, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #85
    Parimutuels bet on slots to end slump
    Faced with tough competition in the sports and entertainment arena, South Florida's parimutuels see slot machines as the key to their survival.
    ( Sunday, March 06, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #86
    Flier criticized as attempt to link GOP, pro-slots drive
    A day after Gov. Jeb Bush storms across South Florida campaigning against slot machines, Republicans protest a flier that appears to link the party with the pro-slots campaign.
    ( Sunday, March 06, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #87
    At odds over schools' payout
    The state of Florida believes South Florida's parimutuels are overstating how much money slot machines would pump into the education system.
    ( Sunday, March 06, 2005 )
  • GAMBLING - Article #88
    Slot machine opponents might be closing the gap
    ( Sunday, March 06, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #89
    Slots will ignite business, pari-mutuels say
    ( Sunday, March 06, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #90
    If slot machines are approved
    ( Sunday, March 06, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #91
    Now it's up to the voters
    Voters will decide Tuesday whether to allow slot machines at South Florida parimutuel facilities and also elect city commissioners.
    ( Monday, March 07, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #92
    Two sides, two visions of slots impact in Florida
    ( Monday, March 07, 2005 )
  • GAMBLING - Article #93
    Polls open on time; slots question big issue in Broward
    ( Tuesday, March 08, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #94
    Odds favor low turnout for slot-machine vote, city races
    ( Tuesday, March 08, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #95
    Voters control the odds of slots' success
    A multimillion-dollar campaign for slot machines in South Florida ends today as voters place bets at the polls.
    ( Tuesday, March 08, 2005 )

  • GAMBLING - Article #96
    Slots initiave wins in Broward, loses Miami-Dade

    ( Tuesday, March 08, 2005 11:58 PM )



    NOW ANOTHER ISSUE SURFACES!

  • GAMBLING - Now it is "Fun" Poker Games!!!
    Bars Find Free Poker A Good Bet; Is It Legal?
    ( Tuesday, March 08, 2005 )