A lawsuit filed by the four Broward County pari-mutuel venues had the outcome they were seeking when a judge ruled yesterday that they can start operating slot machines from July 1. This is hardly the end of the matter as the Florida Attorney General is likely to appeal the decision and the antigambling group No Casinos has already filed a lawsuit to prevent the operation of slot machines at the pari-mutuels until the Legislature has agreed regulations and taxation.

In his ruling Circuit Judge Leroy Moe stated that the Legislature violated the intent of the Broward County voters who had endorsed a constitutional amendment to allow slot machines at the Hollywood Greyhound Track, Pompano Park Racing, Dania Jai-Alai and Gulfstream Park. The judgement gives the Broward County Commission until July 1 to enact regulations governing the operation of the slot machines and gives the pari-mutuels protection from prosecution under anti-gambling laws. If the Commission fails to reach a decision in time, the judge has said that he will impose the rules, and he also reserved the right to review any regulations issued by the Commission.

Last week Florida’s antigambling Governor Jeb Bush opened negotiations with the Seminole Tribe on the expansion of gambling at Tampa and Hollywood, having admitted that the Broward vote had signalled a change in the state’s policy towards gambling. As the Legislature failed to reach agreement before the end of its last session on the type of slot machines, taxation levels, operating hours and other regulations, a special session would need to be called to finalise the rules for operating slot machines at the pari-mutuels. (E-06.22.05)

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