Pari-Mutuels Ready To Fight Seminole Gambling Compact In Florida

On the surface it looks as though the pari-mutuel facilities in Florida will benefit from the new compact between the Seminole Indians and Governor Charlie Crist. However, the pari-mutuels outside of Broward and Miami-Dade Counties are prepared to lobby against the compact.

The gambling industry has spent millions of dollars, and they have Republicans lawmakers fighting for their interests in Tallahassee. There will most likely be a special legislative session called in October, and the pari-mutuels will be ready to voice their concerns.

"If the compact is ratified, it essentially ends the pari-mutuel business in Florida, over a long period, but it in essence ends it," said Brian Ballard, a lobbyist for the Palm Beach Kennel Club, to the Sun Sentinel.

Legislators who were opposed to any changes that the authorized in their last session will also be fighting against the compact. Representative Bill Galvano was the leading House negotiator, and he believes the compact will have to be looked at closely.

The Governor on Tuesday urged lawmakers to ratify the compact. If they do not, the governor warned, then the decision for expanded gambling for the Seminoles will be made federally. If they rule in favor of the Seminoles and the compact was not complete, the state would receive nothing.

Broward and Miami-Dade pari-mutuels are in better shape than the rest of the counties in the state. If the compact is accepted, pari-mutuels in Miami-Dade and Broward would receive expanded poker limits and a lower tax rate on the casino games they now offer.

September 3, 2009
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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