Florida State bill is all for gambling expansion

mbling expansion bill has passed through the Florida Senate with ease, which would make the sunshine state home to an increased number of casinos, slot machines, and dog and horse racetrack facilities.

Senate members voted 32-6 in support of SB8, proposing a massive expansion of the state’s gambling industry. The bill would allow pari-mutuels around Florida to scrap live racing events whilst keeping their casino-style games. Furthermore, it would add slot machines in eight counties outside South Florida.

Whilst the gambling expansion bill passed on Thursday, a separate legislative piece headed to the full House floor.

The House gambling bill also passed a key vote on Thursday in regards to HB 7037, which will now go to the full House. The bill had been filed in the Legislature’s lower house and was voted 19-11 in favour of by the Commerce Committee.

Under HB7037, no slot machine would be installed in pari-mutuel facilities and no craps and roulette tables would be added at Seminole casinos. Much to the Seminole tribes dismay, if the bill is passed, the tribe will have to pay $3bn in payments over the first seven years of its new compact with Florida.

This contentious issue has been disputed between the Seminoles and the state since 2015. Last year, the tribe claimed that Florida lawmakers had violated their previous compact in regards to pari-mutuels allowing layer designated table games at their facilities.

In addition, the tribe is displeased with the House gambling bill, as they are yet to see why they will be paying such an increased amount for so little in return.

The Florida House is expected to vote on the proposed legislation next week and if approved, this would begin negotiations between the two houses of the state Legislature.