Pari-Mutuels Win Out With Florida Gambling Expansion Bill

On Monday, the Senate Regulated Industries Committee passed a bill that could redefine the pecking order in the US when it comes to casino resort gambling. The bill passed by a 7-3 vote would allow three major casino resorts in the state, while also allowing state pari-mutuels to offer the same type of Vegas-style gaming as the resorts.

The pari-mutuel concession was part of a rewrite by the bill's sponsor, Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff. The idea behind the write was that the bill would gain support if they gave pari-mutuels a way to compete with the new resorts. That may have been the case in committee, but it also will make it that much more difficult to pass the bill through the House.

One of the main parts of the rewrite that critics are skeptical of is the idea that the resort developers would have to pay large up-front money to the state for the right to offer the Vegas-style gambling, while the pari-mutuels could add the additional gaming without any fees. That part of the bill will likely be debated heavily over the next couple of months.

Even without the pari-mutuel concession, the bill would have been facing an uphill battle. Many lawmakers in Tallahassee come from the Bible Belt, an area that has long been against gambling expansion in the Sunshine State. The legislators from the South are pushing hard to get the legislation passed. it is presumed that the three destination resorts would all be located in South Florida, if approved.

Las Vegas gaming companies have been lobbying for several years to bring Vegas-style casinos to Florida. In 2011, that lobbying hit an all new level, with companies such as Wynn Resorts, Genting Malaysia, and Las Vegas Sands, spending millions of dollars to convince lawmakers of the economic benefits the three casino resorts could have.

If the bill passes the House and Senate, voter in the affected counties would have to approve the gambling expansion. Broward and Miami-Dade voters have been fickle with their gaming votes over the years. Expansion has occurred in both counties, but at a snail's pace, until recently. Last year, lawmakers in Tallahassee passed a bill expanding the hours of operation for pari-mutuel racinos, and eliminating limits at these gaming facilities.

The Seminole Indians are in a position to benefit the most if the casino resort bill is passed. Under Florida law, the Seminoles would have the right to offer the same gambling allowed at the resorts. The Seminoles could also void the compact they signed with the state that allows the Seminoles to offer blackjack and baccarat at five of their seven casinos in Florida, in exchange for revenue sharing with the state.

January 10, 2012
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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