Full Casino Gambling Coming To Florida If Senate Bills Are Passed

Lawmakers in the Senate in the state of Florida have taken the all or nothing approach to casino gambling expansion. Two new Bills in the Senate would bring full scale Vegas style casino gambling to Seminole Indian casinos in the state.

The need to stay away from raising taxes in their jurisdiction could lead to the two Bills being passed. The Seminoles would gain roulette, craps, and keep the blackjack they are currently offering if the Bills are passed.

"Members have a decision to make," said Senate Regulated Industries Chairman Dennis Jones, who is sponsoring the Bills, "They can either allow the existing parimutuels to have more products or they can go back home and raise property taxes. It's a pretty clear choice."

Under one of the Bills proposed, state pari-mutuels would receive an upgrade from what casino games they are currently allowed to offer. They would add blackjack and electronic bingo machines to the poker they now are provided to offer.

The Seminole deal had already been completed by Governor Charlie Crist in the form of a gambling compact. Legislators fought successfully, however, to void the deal and have now moved forward with their own negotiations with the Seminoles.

A new deal would have to be completed with the Seminoles giving some concessions from the old compact. Originally, the tribe would have had exclusivity to blackjack and baccarat. They now would have to share the blackjack rights with the pari-mutuels.

Horse and dog tracks would also have their tax rates cut from fifty percent down to thirty five percent on all casino and slot games.

March 24, 2009
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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