In response to a question posted by Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (“DBPR”) Secretary Ken Lawson, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi issued an Opinion yesterday, January 12, 2012 addressed to Secretary Lawson on the subject of slot machines. The Attorney General has concluded that the DBPR may not issue a slot machine license in any county outside of Miami-Dade and Broward that seeks approval of slot machines by local referendum (see s.551.102(4)) without new legislative authorization for such a local referendum.
“The United Florida Horsemen welcomes the Florida Attorney General’s opinion on slot referenda, which emphasizes our collective support for the responsible expansion of gambling,” said Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association Executive Director Kent Stirling. “Obviously, any slot referendums based on questionable or unlawfully awarded pari-mutuel licenses should never be entertained under any circumstances. Such activity does not represent the legitimate pari-mutuel industry in Florida, which has carefully adhered to Florida laws and regulations in the expansion thereof, and strongly condemns any activity to the contrary. Further, our respective industries have entirely underwritten programs to ensure responsible gambling statewide.”
To view Attorney General Bondi’s Opinion 12-01, please follow the hyperlink below:
http://myfloridalegal.com/webfiles.nsf/WF/JMEE-8QFQJC/$file/1201.pdf
To view Secretary Lawson’s request for an opinion, please follow the hyperlink below:
http://myfloridalegal.com/webfiles.nsf/WF/JMEE-8QFQKU/$file/Request1201.pdf
Media inquiries contact:
- Kent Stirling, FHBPA Executive Director (305) 625-4591 or khs0813@bellsouth.net
- Phil Combest, FHBPA President (954) 662-8011 or philcom33@aol.com
- Dr. Steve Fisch, FQHRA President (850) 510-9610 or sfischdvm@avsequinehospital.com
Re: Opinion 12-01 issued to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation regarding slot machine referenda and Section 551.102(4), Florida Statutes.
