South Florida is not exactly lacking in gambling options but allowing Las Vegas style slot machines is such a touchy subject that it was put to the ballot in the last national elections. Pari-mutuel horse betting is available year round, casino cruises are available in Miami-Dade and Broward, dog and greyhound racing in Hollywood, Flagler, West Palm Beach, Jai-Alai in Dania and Miami, and poker card rooms in most of these places, too! Gulstream Park is starting its annual thoroughbred meet on January 4, with Vegas style slots in the horizon.

Slots are coming to Gulfstream Park

Gulfstream Park and three other pari-mutuel venues in South Florida finally hit the jackpot. The quartet will install Las Vegas style slots during the summer of 2006.

Gulfstream, Pompano Park harness track, Hollywood Greyhound track and Dania Jai-alai Fronton can install 1,500 machines each and operate them 16 hours every day of the year.

The good news… and the bad…

The good news: Florida lawmakers gave their approval nine months after Broward County residents voted for slots. Gov. Jeb Bush, who called a special legislative session in December to enact regulations, said he would sign the bill into law before the summer is out despite his opposition to gambling.

The bad news: The tax rate was set at 50 percent, one of the highest in the country. Combined with requirements for pari-mutuels to hand over some profits to the county and cities as well as horse and dog breeders as well as owners, some officials pegged the actual tax will be closer to 65 percent.

Miccosukee and Seminole Indian nations would upgrade their casinos, too.

The legislation gives Bush the framework he needs to resume talks with the tribes, who must sign a "compact" with the state to bring Vegas-style slots to their casinos.

The Miccosukees operate a casino in Miami-Dade County while the Seminoles run Hard Rock Casinos in Hollywood and Tampa. Neither tribe is subjected to state regulation and pays no taxes.

Slots are Coming to Gulfstream Park (GREG MELIKOV at HorsesWild)