As the May 5th end of legislative session date looms in Florida, substantial progress seems to have been made concerning changes to the state’s gambling industry. For many years now, House and Senate leaders have been locked in a frustrating stalemate regarding progress in the industry. However, this week, the House made a “substantial offer”, according to the Senate’s chief negotiator on gambling issues, Sen. Bill Galvano.
House Rep. Jose Felix Diaz, said: “We know that time is running out, so we wanted to make a serious and substantial offer to the Senate.”
The House has always favored the current set up of the industry that is supported by Florida’s pari-mutuel industry and has always been against significant changes. But this week, the House agreed to a number of concessions for the Seminole Tribe, including allowing them to offer craps and roulette at Seminole operated casinos.
The House also dropped its opposition to the process known as decoupling, where greyhound and horse racing tracks would be allowed to drop the racing part of their business but retain other parts of it such as cardrooms, which bring in more money. Galvano said that he would consider the House’s proposal that county voters approve decoupling before racetracks could go ahead with the process.
While the House initially suggested a freeze on the building on all new casinos and gambling, it will now agree to allowing one new casino in Miami-Dade, as well as granting the Seminoles additional games at their seven existing casinos as noted above.
The two sides seem to be coming close to reaching a decision to radically change the face of gambling in Florida.
Gambling opponents have already expressed their disappointment with the plans, claiming that both sides are rushing things without considering the issues, as they are desperate to reach an agreement before the end of the session.
