PPK slots by November?

Bernie Goldstein, chairman of Isle of Capri Casinos, which owns Pompano Park, was quoted in Wednesday's Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel that he hopes to have 3,000 slot machines operating by December at the racetrack. Final approval for the slot machines still must come from Broward County voters, who will go to the polls March 8 in a local referendum.



A local referendum is also scheduled for Miami-Dade counties in Florida that if approved would allow the introduction of slot machines at the pari-mutuel tracks in those areas, but an Indian tribe is arguing that the results of the election last November has already changed state policy on gaming.



In the Sun-Sentinel's story, counsel for the tribe stated he believes that because the amendment last November passed statewide by a 93,000-vote margin, that signifies "state public policy now supports slot machines…no matter what the counties choose to do as a matter of local choice."



The tribe has sent a letter to Florida Gov. Jeb Bush stating their position. They currently operate one casino in Florida that is located in Miami.



On Tuesday a state assistant attorney general told a House committee that the federal gaming act allows Indian tribes to negotiate a compact for anything allowed in the state and the amendment approved by voters last November specifically allows slot machines.

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