Major gambling developments since 2004

November 2004:

Voters narrowly approve constitutional amendment permitting Broward and Miami-Dade counties to hold local referendums to install Las Vegas-style slot machines in pari-mutuel facilities in the two South Florida counties. Prior to the election in September, however, a lawsuit alleges serious fraud in the petition-gathering process-including the use of signatures of dead and "phantom" voters. A trial judge ruled after the election that voters' narrow approval (50.7-49.3) of the amendment "cured" whatever fraud may have existed. The First District Court of Appeals found the alleged fraud merited a trial. On appeal by the gambling interests, the Florida Supreme Court ruled in September 2007 the case should be tried. The fraud trial is pending.

March 2005:

Broward County voters approve referendum to allow slot machines in pari-mutuels while Miami-Dade voters narrowly reject similar referendum.

November 2006:

Promising to oppose expanded gambling, Gov. Charlie Crist elected, replacing anti-gambling two-term Gov. Jeb Bush. Crist expressed opposition to gambling expansion in several venues during the primary and general campaigns in 2006, including in an August interview with Florida Baptist Witness.

June 2007:

Gov. Crist signs or allows to become law four pro-gambling bills passed by the Legislature.

July 2007:

Following a Florida Baptist Witness editorial criticizing Gov. Crist, Senate President Ken Pruitt, and House Speaker Marco Rubio for gambling expansion, Rubio authors op-ed for Witness asserting: "I will be more steadfast and diligent in my final term as Speaker to oppose gambling legislation. But Floridians who oppose gambling must also send a message that there is an electoral price to be paid for supporting gambling."

November 2007:

Under some pressure from the U.S. Department of the Interior (which has jurisdiction in Indian affairs), Gov. Crist announces a gambling compact with the Seminole Indian Tribe. In exchange for Las Vegas-style slots approved in the 2004 constitutional amendment, exclusivity of those slots outside of Broward and Miami-Dade, and certain games currently illegal in the state, the Seminoles agree to pay the state hundreds of millions of dollars over the 25-year deal. The compact comes in Crist's first year in office after the Seminoles were unable to achieve an agreement with Bush and his two Democratic gubernatorial predecessors.

January 2008:

Florida Supreme Court hears arguments in lawsuit filed by Speaker Rubio seeking invalidation of the Seminole compact. Rubio argues the governor does not have the unilateral authority to execute a compact, especially when the agreement authorizes illegal games. Crist maintains the governor has authority to enter into an agreement with the sovereign Indian nation without legislative approval, although Crist indicated earlier he would seek affirmation of the Legislature. Case is pending before the high court.

January 2008:

Miami-Dade voters overwhelmingly approve slots in a second referendum.

January 2008:

Gov. Crist releases $70 billion state budget proposal, including $405 million in new gambling revenue from the Seminole compact proceeds and the Florida Lottery "enhancements."

March 2008:

Florida Senate approves three pro-gambling bills. Outcome of bills are in doubt due to House Speaker Rubio's public pronouncements continuing anti-gambling expansion articulated in July 2007 Witness op-ed.