The unanimous ruling, that upholds the decision by the Florida Division of Parimutuel Wagering to deny a slots license, has restricted slot machines to the two destinations where they are already in place, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. However, at the Palm Beach Kennel Club, which has long sought to get in on the casino actions, slot machines will remain out of reach.
Similarly to Palm Beach, six other counties voted in favor to approve slot machines,
Justice Charles Canady comments: "There must be ‘statutory or constitutional
"In the absence of such specific authorization, a county cannot initiate a referendum that will authorize the Division to issue a license any more than the county could itself issue a slot machine gaming license.”
In a 2004 amendment passed by voters, Boward and Miami-Dade counties were authorized to approve slot machines.
Earlier this year, the Florida Senate approved a bill that would have permitted slot machines in all eight counties. However, House Republicans refused to agree with the proposal and thus the bill died.
Source: GMB / Gambling Insider
