Gambling venues in Broward county, Florida, are now closer than ever to getting Las Vegas-style slot machines. On Monday, the House Business Regulation Committee approved a bill under which each slots parlor will be allowed to install as many as 1,000 such machines. House members, who have previously supported video bingo-style terminals currently operated in Indian casinos across Florida, have finally approved the more lucrative Las Vegas-style slots.
However, this approval comes at a price. House members passed the slots bill with a 55% tax rate, a measure that some gambling industry insiders consider rather onerous. In comparison, the Senate plan allows 2,000 machines per facility and taxes revenues at a rate of 45%. House Speaker Allan Bense was reported as saying that he believes that the casino industry will generate enough money despite the higher tax rate. The state's take from future slots profits will be allocated to different educational projects for Florida schoolchildren.
The Committee Chairman, Frank Attkisson, defended the Committee's stance regarding the tax rate, arguing that voters backed the constitutional amendment allowing slots, as they want the future profits to be channeled to their children's education. In the meantime, Attorney General Charlie Crist called Monday for the repeal of this very amendment.
