Slot-machine amendment passes after Broward 'glitch' discovered

Sun-Sentinel ^ | Nov 5th, 2004 | By Linda Kleindienst and Sarah Talalay Staff Writers

[kingu]

After losing three efforts to expand gambling in the past quarter century, supporters of a state constitutional amendment that could put slot machines at seven South Florida racetracks and frontons claimed victory on Thursday.

Buoyed by the results of absentee and provisional ballots and the repair of a glitch in Broward County's counting machinery, Amendment 4 passed by a more than 93,000-vote margin.

"This is a great day because education was a big winner today, $500 million a year to help our schools and to help our kids," said former state Education Commissioner Jim Horne, chief spokesman for the proponents.

The amendment allows Broward and Miami-Dade counties to hold separate referendums on adding slot machines alongside betting windows at seven pari-mutuel venues, including Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach and Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens.

Supporters, which include the Florida School Boards Association and the state teacher union, have promised taxes on the slot revenues could raise $500 million in the first year to supplement education statewide and as much as $2.5 billion over five years.

The final count showed the amendment passing with 3,609,754 votes, or 50.7 percent, compared with 3,516,415, or 49.3 percent, opposing the measure. Broward voters passed the measure by a 2-to-1 margin.

Citing obvious local support, Broward County Mayor Ilene Lieberman said she would like the measure to go before voters as soon as the municipal election in March and wants the County Commission to debate the issue at its Dec. 14 meeting.

[kingu]

Race tracks might get class III gaming, but this guarantees that the tribes in the state will get it too. Was there much advertising about this under-the-radar fact? When I searched various newspapers in the region, I found only one story that even mentioned it.

[Brilliant]

The good news is that Miami is a long way from Orlando. About a 5 hour drive.

[mbynack]

I thought the amendment limited the gaming to those five locations. Any other additions would require a new amendment. At least that's the way the supporters sold it.