Broward County sets March 8 date for slot machine vote

Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2005 | 9:19 a.m.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- A plan to install slot machines at Gulfstream Park and three other pari-mutuel facilities will be decided March 8 by Broward County voters.

By an 8-1 vote, county commissioners agreed Tuesday to add the referendum to that day's scheduled of local elections. If voters approve, state lawmakers will have until July 1, 2006, to craft legislation detailing how the machines will be licensed and regulated in Broward County.

In November voters statewide narrowly decided to permit changing the state constitution and allow voters in Broward and in Miami-Dade County to consider approving the installation of slots at seven gambling facilities. About 82,000 votes were the difference, out of more than 7.1 million cast -- but the measure easily passed in the two counties that have the pari-mutuels.

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