Florida Courts Order Slot Petition Trial

FLORIDA – As reported by the Florida Sun-Sentinel: "A state appeals court handed down a potential death sentence for slot machines in Broward County on Tuesday.

"But the four local pari-mutuels are still moving ahead with plans to offer the games, anticipating years of legal wrangling before a final ruling is made.

"The suddenly uncertain future of slot machines stems from a lawsuit filed by Floridians Against Expanded Gambling, a group that says pro-gambling petitioners forged signatures to get the issue on the statewide ballot in November 2004. A Leon County Circuit judge originally denied their request for an expedited trial before the election. After voters approved the constitutional amendment that opened the door for slots, the judge declared the issue moot.

"In a 2-1 ruling, the Florida First District Court of Appeal now says that wasn't fair and ordered a trial. If fraud is found, 'the trial court should declare the Slots Initiative invalid,' the court wrote…."