Florida Legislators Take Their Time to Decide on Slots
According to the House Business Regulation Committee chairman, although the Florida House and the Senate are quite close to reaching a compromise regarding the extent and the nature of slot machines to be allowed for operation at state gaming facilities, they are not yet ready to schedule a special session on the matter.
It was also recently reported that Florida governor Jeb Bush joined Michael Satz, Broward State Attorney, in an effort to appeal Circuit Judge Leroy Moethe's decision that Broward's four pari-mutuel facilities are allowed to operate slots. Moethe, reached such a decision after the state Legislature failed to produce any slots regulations.
Bush reportedly claimed that only legislative authorities are allowed to produce rules regarding slots installation. Concern was also raised that the judge's ruling might affect Bush's current negotiations with two Indian tribes regarding their demand to be allowed to operate the same slot machines as other casinos across the state. Thus, if proper regulations are not generated soon, the future of slots in the state in general, and on Indian reservations in particular, will remain uncertain.
