Slots coming to Pompano

According to reports in South Florida newspapers, slots at the county's racetracks have been approved by Broward County voters. But Miami-Dade voters narrowly rejected the proposal in voting on Tuesday.



According to reports, the split decision cuts almost in half the $438 million in new tax revenue promised to improve education statewide.



Hollywood Greyhound Track, Dania Jai-Alai, Pompano Park Harness Track and Gulfstream Park could begin adding slots as early as July 1. Calder Race Course, owned by Chruchill Downs, is located in Dade County.



"Most of the voters understood the issue: that we have gaming out there now and the state gets no benefit from it," said Dan Adkins, vice president of Hollywood Greyhound and leader of the referendum push. "You have to crawl before you walk, and Broward will now prove to the rest of the state that this can work."



The Florida legislature must now enact laws that set hours of operation and distribution formulas for revenue. Also, opponents are considering seeking a statewide referendum next year to repeal slots, and Goiv. Jeb Bush lobbyed against slots in the days before the Broward and Miami-Dade votes.



Turnout was reported as light for the vote. Almost three-quarters of the area's 2 million voters turned out in November, but only 14 percent of Miami-Dade voters and 18 percent of Broward voters turned out Tuesday.



"Gov. Bush had a lot more to do with the outcome than anyone thought," said Linda Mills, president of the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association.



Precinct samples from Miami-Dade showed that Hispanics were more likely to vote no, 56 percent to 42 percent while blacks and non-Hispanic whites were more likely to vote in favor. The sample of black voters showed 56 percent and the sample of white voters showed 55 percent in favor.

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