Lawmakers tackle slot machine issue in South Florida

Jackie Hallifax

Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005 | 8:57 a.m.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- State lawmakers Tuesday started exploring how they might regulate and tax slot machines in South Florida, and what a constitutional amendment passed last November means for gambling at Indian reservations in the state.

Under federal law, the seven tribal casinos around Florida are entitled to negotiate an agreement with the state to operate slot machines if slots are allowed anywhere else in Florida, Jonathan Glogau, an assistant attorney general, told the House Business Regulation Committee.

The Seminole Tribe, which operates casinos in Coconut Creek, Hollywood, Fort Pierce, Brighton, Immokalee and Tampa, is taking a wait-and-see attitude for now, said tribe attorney Jim Shore.

But the Miccosukee Tribe, which runs a casino west of Miami, has contacted Gov. Jeb Bush to request that negotiations begin. The request came in a letter after the election last fall.

A spokesman for Bush said the governor's lawyers are reviewing the issues. The attorneys believe "it's premature to respond at this time," Jacob DiPietre said.

By a margin of 51-49 percent, Floridians voted to change the state constitution to open the door to slots, but only in South Florida.

The provision lets voters in Broward and Miami-Dade counties decide if they want to allow slots at five race tracks and two jai-alai frontons. Both county commissions have voted to put the issue to voters on March 8, the opening day of the two-month legislative session.

The idea was very popular with Miami-Dade and Broward voters in November.

If South Floridians approve the slot machines, any tax revenue the state collects is dedicated to schools around the state; the seven pari-mutuel facilities have promised schools a 30 percent cut if state lawmakers don't pass a tax.

During Tuesday's hearing, the House panel listened to a parade of advocates, researchers and experts but didn't consider a specific bill.

That 30 percent should raise more than $400 million the first year slots are whirling and about $500 million by the fifth year, according to Scott Fisher, a financial analyst from New Orleans who researched the economic impact for supporters.