Pari-mutuels file jointly

The fight over slot machines in Broward County will soon move to the courtroom. The county's four pari-mutuel operators--including Pompano Park--filed suit Tuesday, asking a Broward circuit judge to rule they have the legal right to start installing slot machines immediately.



The lawsuit by the Broward pari-mutuel operators came a day after the anti-gambling group No Casinos sued in Leon County Circuit Court, asking a judge there to forbid slots unless the state Legislature passes regulations. According to reports, No Casinos filed its lawsuit in Tallahassee as a pre-emptive move to block a decision about slots from being made in a Broward County courtroom.



Among the Broward County pari-mutuels is Hollywood Greyhound Track, which is owned by the same people that own Hazel Park Harness Raceway in Michigan.



"The public voted for this and they expect to see their wishes implemented," said Dan Adkins, vice president of Hollywood Greyhound Track.



A South Florida Sun-Sentinel story said Adkins, the pari-mutuels' point man in the slots push, has pledged the businesses won't install slots without some sort of government regulations in place.



The four pari-mutuels ask in their lawsuit for a judge to rule whether they are entitled to "transport, possess, install and operate slot machines" without fear of being criminally prosecuted. The industry's lawsuit names the Broward State Attorney's Office as the defendant, as required by law when asking a judge to declare whether an action is legal.



"We're anxious to find out whether the constitutional amendment is self-implementing," said Dick Feinberg, general manager of Pompano Park. "Obviously we think there's a good chance that's the case."



The defendants have 20 days to file responses. In addition, there will be the fight over venue. Bruce Rogow, one of the pari-mutuels' attorneys who helped the Seminole Indian tribe clear legal hurdles for its Florida gambling empire, said he anticipates that a judge could rule quickly on slots' legality.

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