HB 1233- Relating to Gaming
On Tuesday April 21st, HB 1233, relating to Gaming, by Rep. Dana Young (R-Tampa) passed through the House Finance & Tax Committee with 10 yeas and 8 nays.

The legislation would create a statewide gaming commission to better regulate Florida’s gaming industry. There have been two good amendments to HB 1233 that AIF supports. One would allow two existing, long-standing pari-mutuel facilities to offer slot machine wagering, which would then allow these facilities to operate in a more competitive manner with other nearby gaming facilities. The second amendment would call for referendum votes to take place in Miami/Dade and Broward counties on the creation of destination resorts, which would put the decision into the hands of the communities where these resorts would be located.

HB 1233 has one committee stop left in the House Appropriations Committee. AIF’s Senior Vice President, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of this bill.

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.