Florida passes another bill

Gaming regulations are imminent in Florida as both the Senate and the House seem likely to approve a final project this year.

US.- Whilst legislators of the State of Florida have compromised to carry out a complete debate on potential gaming regulations, the House has passed its own version of the casino bill this week. During the sessions’ final weeks, representatives of both chambers will discuss a joint project to regulate the gaming market, according to the US press.

Yesterday the Florida House passed the PCB TGC 17-01 bill, which would grant the Seminole native tribe further rights of casino operations in exchange of US$3 billion over seven years. Meanwhile, the Senate passed later in March the gaming bill that would expand the casino and racing industries in the State.

Although legislators have not set a date to negotiate the final version of the regulation, it is expected that they sentence a resolution in the following months. The House’s bill limits the gaming market for only Seminole’s operations, whilst the Senate’s project would expand it with pari-mutuels in eight Florida counties and further betting centres statewide.

“I stand firm in the Senate position and will not negotiate against myself,” commented Senator Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, chair of the Senate’s higher education committee, to Naples News. Galvano is also the sponsor of Senate’s bill. On the other hand, Representative Mike La Rosa, R-St. Cloud, supporter of the House Bill 7037, which strengthens Seminole’s monopoly of the gaming industry in the State, said: “Areas that don’t expand gaming have the most potential for negotiations from our side.” La Rosa also chairs the tourism and gaming House subcommittee.

A final resolution is expected soon in order to define whether Florida becomes a casino and gaming region or if it keeps its position of banning the industry.