HB 1233- Relating to Gaming
On Thursday, April 9th, HB 1233, relating to Gaming, by Rep. Dana Young (R-Tampa) passed through the House Regulatory Affairs Committee with 14 yeas and 4 nays. AIF’s Senior Vice President, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of this bill. The legislation would create a statewide gaming commission to better regulate Florida’s gaming industry.

In addition, there were two adopted amendments to HB 1233 by Rep. Ritch Workman (R-Melbourne) that AIF supports. One amendment would allow two existing, long-standing pari-mutuel facilities to offer slot machine wagering. This would allow these facilities to operate in a more competitive manner with other, nearby gaming facilities. The second Workman amendment would call for referendum votes to take place in Miami/Dade and Broward counties on the creation of destination resorts. This would put the decision into the hands of the communities where these resorts would be located. AIF’s Brewster Bevis also stood in support of these amendments.

HB 1233 has two committee stops left in the House. The next stop is the House Finance & Tax Committee.

AIF supports the creation of a statewide gaming commission to better get are arms around Florida’s gaming industry. In addition we support allowing Florida’s existing pari-mutual industry to operate in a competitive manner. AIF has long supported the creation of high-end destination resorts to bring jobs and outside capital to the state.