At the end of last week the Broward County Commission published draft outlines for regulating slots operations at four pari-mutuel venues. The Florida Legislature has so far failed to agree on rules and a Circuit Court Judge ordered the County Commission to formulate its own operating regulations after the pari-mutuels won their case to be allowed to commence operations without waiting for state guidelines. The draft was produced after consultations this summer and covers issues such as monitoring fair play, auditing accounts and conducting licensing background checks.

The four pari-mutuels concerned, Pompano Park, Gulfstream Park, Hollywood Greyhound Track and Dania Jai-Alai, still prefer to delay opening slots operations until the Legislature resolves the issue. The County Commission, however, is uncertain when this might happen as there are unresolved differences between the House and the Senate over taxation levels and Class of machines at the venues. The judge’s ruling in favour of the pari-mutuels is now under appeal by the State Attorney’s Office.

The state legislative leaders originally said that there was no intention of calling a special session in order to discuss slots regulations before next spring’s scheduled sittings. It now appears that they may consider Broward slots at a special session in December, called to consider Florida’s Medicaid programme for the poor. The Broward County Commissioners are scheduled to discuss the guidelines they have issued at a workshop on Tuesday, 1 November. (E-10.24.05)

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