Gambling is the name of the game at the forefront of the legislative session that starts this week in Florida. The 60-day session must consider budget issues and gambling bills are being promoted as one way to address the likely financial shortfall. Despite support from Governor Charlie Crist, who wants to use money from gaming in his budget, many Florida lawmakers are noted for their opposition to gambling and they are ready to reject any measures that would allow gaming expansion.

Bills up for discussion include lowering gaming taxes, allowing televised high-stakes poker at card rooms, and expanding slots to all dog and horse tracks and jai-alai fronton venues in Florida. There are also bills to promote humane treatment of greyhounds and to set a minimum distance between quarter horse tracks, to bring them into line with thoroughbred tracks and dog tracks. A measure to crackdown on adult arcades will be introduced, a grey area as the arcades avoid gambling laws by giving gift cards instead of cash prizes.

Last year there were legislative victories for more slot machines at the Broward County pari-mutuels, longer hours of opening and ATMs on site, but the picture isn’t rosy everywhere. Miami-Dade may have voted to allow slot machines at three local pari-mutuel venues but the operators of Gulfstream Park in Broward County have already signalled that unless revenues improve the operation may have to close.

Boyd Gaming recently put on indefinite hold plans to install slot machines at the fourth Broward County venue, Dania Jai Alai. Gov Crist wants to increase lottery sales to generate more cash for the state but the economic downturn is likely to adversely affect all forms of gaming revenue. This is one reason given by gambling expansion opponents for not supporting a budget that relies on increased gambling.

The unhealthy state of Florida’s finances may give the pro-gambling lobbies their best chance of success. Slots operators will be pushing hard to reduce the high tax on gaming revenue in a bid to become more profitable. The compact with the Seminole tribe is still being challenged through the courts but the millions of dollars the deal will bring Florida is needed to help balance the budget. It remains to be seen if the tough stance taken by anti-gambling legislators can withstand the pressure of financial necessity. (E-03.04.08)

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