THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Senate gaming bills on floor Thursday
Apr 16, 2009
The Florida Senate is expected to take up its pari-mutuel gambling measures on Thursday as it moves toward an inevitable conference committee to hammer out details with competing and more conservative House legislation.
Sen. Dennis Jones, R-Treasure Island, says opponents may try to amend his proposals (SB 788 and SB 836) on the floor. Possible changes include a move to increase the legal gambling age from 18 to 21, an amendment Jones opposes.
“They send these kids to Iraq to fly jets, they ought to be able to play blackjack,” Jones said.
House and Senate negotiators are far apart on how much more gambling to allow in Florida in response to actions by the Seminole Tribe of Florida to expand gaming options at its seven casinos across the state.
Existing pari-mutuel facility owners want lawmakers to give them the tools to more effectively compete with Indian venues. SB 836 addresses the non-Indian pari-mutuel industry. Options range from raising betting stakes and facility hours to allowing slot machines at non-Indian locations.
Meanwhile, SB 788 deals with the Seminole gaming compact, an agreement forged between the tribe and Gov. Charlie Crist that was struck down by the Florida Supreme Court last year.