In Pennsylvania the House and Senate are still fighting over amendments to the proposed table games bill while education establishments await the injections of cash the increased revenue was expected to bring to the state budget. In Florida legislators seem no closer to ratifying a gambling compact between Governor Charlie Crist and the Seminole tribe. The wrangling there is costing Florida millions while the Seminoles continue to rake in the money from the disputed banked card games.

One Republican representative now says she has had enough. Ellyn Bogdanoff is drafting her own proposal, the ‘Gaming Equalization Act’. She cites the Bellagio as being an incredible example of what Florida could have if gaming expansion was allowed. In her opinion South Florida is the one place that could compete with Las Vegas if it offered gaming resorts. “With comprehensive legislation Florida could do it right, do it with class.”

Bogdanoff intends to introduce her proposals, which include the creation of a Florida Gaming Commission, in March. She wants additional games at the Broward and Miami-Dade pari-mutuels and gambling permits for investors to build destination resort casinos. She comments that Florida already has ‘all this’ gambling but is getting no revenue from it, although the pari-mutuels with slot machines do pay heavy gaming taxes.

The Fort Lauderdale Rep would go all in with the gambling stakes and permit roulette, craps and all the other gambling games. In one respect her outlook makes sense. “Once you’re in the building and you’re gambling, I don’t care what you do. The one game that’s probably the most addictive is slots – and we’ve given that to everyone.” (E-12.18.09)

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