Rep. Ramon Alexander, a Democrat from Gadsden and Leon County, has filed a bill to allow slot machine gambling at a local race track. The North Florida slots bill (HB 1111) is expected to be discussed in a legislative session this month.
What are the Chances of the North Florida Slots Bill Passing?
According to Florida Politics, HB 1111 has long odds of passing. The main reason why is because Florida has a Republican-controlled House that opposes gambling expansion.
But Alexander hopes that the area will reconsider, given that Gretna and Gadsden Counties face “unique economic development challenges.”
Another problem is that the Florida Supreme Court ruled against seven other countries that tried to allow slots. The court ruled “nothing in (state gambling law) grants any authority to regulate slot machine gaming to any county.”
One Thing that could Get the North Slots Bill Passed
The one thing going in Gadsden County’s favor is that they already passed a slots bill in 2012. This means that perhaps they could be grandfathered into the Florida Supreme Court’s decision.
Gretna has already proposed the following ballot question: “Shall slot machine gaming be authorized at the pari-mutuel quarter horse racing facility in the City of Gretna?”
“Major Concerns” with the Slots Leglisation
Paul Seago, Executive Director of No Casinos, believes that HB 1111 has some “major concerns” that must be addressed.
“First, we think it violates the Florida Constitution, which prohibits expansion of casino gambling without a statewide vote,” said Seago.
“Second, it sets up a violation of the compact between the state and the Seminole Tribe, jeopardizing millions of dollars in revenue.”
Seago is referring to how the Seminole Tribe of Florida currently has exclusive rights to any slots offered outside of South Florida.
The state is unlikely to break such a compact just to allow small counties in North Florida to offer slot machines. But this matter still has to play out, given that Alexander isn’t backing down.