Topic: Slot machines

As in 2012, legislation to allow for large casino resorts in South Florida was discussed but there was no other action. A late push by Gov. Rick Scott to call for a special session on a possible renegotiated Gaming Compact with the Seminole Tribe was also snuffed out. Read more . . .

But an effort to "decouple" racing from card rooms and slot machines falls short despite an assist from the Senate President, his wife and his son, sponsor of the companion bill in the House.

The proposal seeks to close loopholes, tightens regulations and repeals a state provision authorizing local referendums permitting slot machines outside of Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

Lawmakers banned sweepstakes cafes last year and now want to carve out exceptions to allow purveyors of "amusement machines" to operate.

House Speaker Will Weatherford's requirement that Gov. Rick Scott renegotiate the Seminole Gaming Compact with the Seminole Tribe for any casino legislation to be considered could press Scott to take a position on gambling -- something he's been reluctant to do - before the election.

As Sen. Garrett Richter, chairman of the Senate Gaming Committee, puts together a new casino bill for this year that would OK two large casinos, Sen. Andy Gardiner says he wants a statewide referendum before any new casinos are allowed in South Florida.

A proposed bill allowing large casino resorts in South Florida and enacting a new gaming commission to regulate gambling operations will be published next Monday, but the legislation faces a long journey with plenty of political obstacles before making it into law.

Bets on horse races, dog races and jai alai matches continued to decline last year as revenues from poker rooms and slots climbed higher.

The Miami Democrat sent a letter to Senate President Don Gaetz on Thursday decrying the plan as against the wishes of voters, a potential traffic nightmare and perilous to the revenue from the Seminole Gaming Compact. ... Related Research: Jan. 9, 2014 Letter from Senator Gwen Margolis to President Don Gaetz.

The House is kicking around a constitutional amendment, while the Senate is attempting to balance Florida's myriad special gambling interests.

Senate Gaming Committee chairman Garrett Richter said his panel should focus any new changes to Florida's gambling laws on economic growth, but how that might be achieved is still up in the air. ... Related Research: April 6, 2010 Gaming Compact between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the State of Florida, Oct. 28, 2013 Two-Part Gaming Study: Final Report by Spectrum Gaming Group, Nov. 4, 2013 Senate Committee on Gaming meeting packet, and meeting video.

Revenue from Seminole casinos is expected to rise in future years, state economists predict. ... Related Research: April 6, 2010 Gaming Compact between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the State of Florida.

In addition, a University of Florida survey commissioned by Spectrum found there's much acceptance of gambling in Florida, but that most people who are in favor of large destination-type casinos would not want to live near one. ... Related Research: Senate Gaming Committee meeting materials and video.

The draft report from Spectrum Gaming shows the state would actually lose revenue through the most expansive gambling scenario analyzed in the study. ... Related Research: Sept. 30, 2013 Senate President Don Gaetz: Gaming Study, and Oct. 1, 2013 Gaming Study Memorandum from Senate President Don Gaetz.