More flexibility in Florida?

A Florida legislative bill calls for Broward County slot machine facilities to be open longer and to have ATM machines on their premises. The bill also calls for more machines at the tracks.

On Thursday the Florida House Committee on Business Regulation easily approved a bill, sponsored by Rep. Jack Seiler, to increase from 1,500 to 2,000 the number of machines allowed in each of the county's four pari-mutuels. Pompano Park's is set to open next month with at least 1,500 machines.

House Bill 1047 would also extend the hours in which the slots can be operated from 16 hours a day to 24 on weekends and holidays, and 18 hours on weekdays. ATMs would be allowed provided they are not in the actual rooms where the slot machines are located.

The bill must be approved by the entire legislature and signed by Gov. Charlie Crist to become law.

A similar bill in the Senate offers tax credits to the pari-mutuels should they make repairs and upgrades to their facilities. It is sponsored by Sen. Steve Geller, who recently spoke at the Racing Congress in Florida.

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