Indian casinos currently own bingo-style gaming machines providing tickets instead of cash. But South Florida pari-mituels are full of hope that more popular Las Vegas-style slots will be incorporated. The tribal counsel, Dexter Lehtinen maintained that it is the right of the tribes to have their own slot machines. He backed up his words by presenting the evidence from the constitutional amendment that passed with a 93,000 vote margin statewide. He feels that no matter what the county's decision would be, state public is all for slot machines.
The Indians, in their letter to Jeb Bush have pointed to the passage four of Amendment that has tremendously altered the gambling policy and on these grounds anticipated the negotiations which would lead to slot machine installation in spite of results of the local referendum which is due on March. The request, however was left unanswered, which is in compliance with 1988 federal Indian Gaming Regulatory. Yet, Bush associates claimed that the request was under scrutiny.
In return, for expanding the gaming rights, both tribes, the Seminoles and Miccosukees have promised the state to share their revenues from gaming activities, but all in vein. Bush and the former head of administration Gov. Lawton Chiles have shown no interest what so ever in negotiation of the proposed compact. The Florida Legislature is searching for right venues to slip in the slot amendment in case Broward and Miami-Dade voters conform to implementation of slot machines at seven existing gambling South Florida corporations. Opponents have proposed to elevate the tax rates on slots by 30 percent and limiting its operation hours. But Bernie Goldstein, the chairman of Isle of Capri Casinos hopes to install 3,000 slot machines and have them live and kicking by December.
