The Florida Supreme Court recently denied a request for it to review the Florida Court of Appeal’s determination that a Florida statute is valid even though it authorizes slot machines at entities other than those that are described in Article 10, Section 23 of the state's constitution. The Supreme Court's action may help to pave the way for the expansion of gambling activities in Florida.
Article 10, Section 23 of the Florida Constitution provides that "[t]he governing bodies of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties each may hold a county-wide referendum in their respective counties on whether to authorize slot machines within existing, licensed pari-mutuel facilities (thoroughbred and harness racing, greyhound racing, and jai-alai) that have conducted live racing or games in that county during each of the last two calendar years before the effective date of this amendment." Fla. Const. Art. X, §23(a). The provision goes on to state: "If the voters of such county approve the referendum question by majority vote, slot machines shall be authorized in such pari mutuel facilities." Id.
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