Florida City Wages Campaign for Slots

FLORIDA – As reported by the Miami Herald: "Hallandale Beach will wage a one-city advertising campaign in Florida newspapers to draft support from voters -- and legislators -- for quick action on gambling regulations that will get slot machines up and running in Broward County.

"'I want people to call their legislators and push them pro-slots. I want people statewide to realize that because of the actions of our legislators, they are losing money,' said Hallandale Beach Mayor Joy Cooper. Her city could reap millions from taxes on slot machines at Gulfstream Race Track and Hollywood Greyhound Track.

"But the city's campaign, approved Tuesday, comes nearly a year after Florida voters gave the first go-ahead for slot machines, and as casino executives face an increasingly uncertain political environment for passing gambling regulations.

"Broward voters authorized slots in a March special election, but state lawmakers failed to agree on tax rates and operating guidelines, and didn't pass any rules for slot machines. That sent parimutuel owners to court this summer. They've had multiple legal victories, beginning with a judge's order that Broward County commissioners must write slot machine guidelines, absent any state rules.

"…The Hallandale Beach advertising campaign will focus on the Orlando area, where area lawmakers and businesses worked against the initial constitutional referendum because they feared that South Florida slots would draw tourists away…"