Post by Logan on Feb 10, 2016 3:20:22 GMT -6
TALLAHASSEE -- Florida lawmakers made uneven progress on ambitious plans to rewrite the state’s gambling laws Tuesday as a House committee did what has been virtually impossible for the conservative chamber to do in the past decade: pass a bill that expands gambling in Florida.
At the same time, though, the more gaming-friendly Senate put the brakes on its plan.
In the House, the Regulatory Affairs Committee gave the nod to one bill — ratifying the agreement between Gov. Rick Scott and the Seminole Tribe to expand casino games on their reservations — and also approved a companion measure. The measure tightens loopholes in the state’s gambling laws while adding slots permits in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties and offering new gaming options outside of South Florida.
Then, to punctuate the message that any future gambling should face very steep hurdles, the committee passed a bill to require that any additional expansion in Florida not already approved in the compact must receive statewide voter approval — through a citizen-led initiative.
Read more here: www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article59405057.html
At the same time, though, the more gaming-friendly Senate put the brakes on its plan.
In the House, the Regulatory Affairs Committee gave the nod to one bill — ratifying the agreement between Gov. Rick Scott and the Seminole Tribe to expand casino games on their reservations — and also approved a companion measure. The measure tightens loopholes in the state’s gambling laws while adding slots permits in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties and offering new gaming options outside of South Florida.
Then, to punctuate the message that any future gambling should face very steep hurdles, the committee passed a bill to require that any additional expansion in Florida not already approved in the compact must receive statewide voter approval — through a citizen-led initiative.
Read more here: www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article59405057.html