MIAMI, Florida – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Unresolved questions surrounding the
controversial introduction of slot machines at four parimutuel facilities in
Broward County will be a primary focus of discussion at next week's Florida
Gaming Summit.
Voters in Broward County earlier this year approved a constitutional
amendment that allowed operators to place the machines in the facilities, but
installation has been delayed as the Florida Legislature is still considering
when to decide on laws to regulate slots. One resolution would allow voters to
reconsider the measure. Meantime, an appeals court last week held that the
Broward parimutuel facilities have the ability to install slots while awaiting
regulations. The State of Florida is appealing the ruling.
Gaming operators, vendors, analysts and regulators from Florida and the
national gaming industry will convene for this important first-year
conference, set for Oct. 17-18 at the Hyatt Regency Miami. Local and national
gaming experts will discuss the Broward County slots issue, the growth of
Indian gaming, the relationship between gaming and tourism, and the local
impact of gaming.
"Given recent developments and the continued political and legal
uncertainty surrounding expanded gaming in Broward County, the Florida Gaming
Summit could not be a more timely event," said Joe Weinert, Vice President of
Spectrum Gaming Group, conference co-producer.
Charles Anderer, Director Trade Events for conference co-producer Ascend
Media Gaming Group, added, "The Summit will add immensely to the quality of
the public discussion on the issue of expanded gaming, which will have
considerable economic impacts, both for Broward County and the state of
Florida."
Sen. Steve Geller (D-Hallandale) will address Florida's political and
legal environment and the future of slots in Broward County in Monday night's
opening keynote address. Sen. Geller has played a leadership role in the
effort to add gaming machines to the product mix of the state's parimutuel
facilities. At Tuesday's keynote luncheon, American Gaming Association
President and CEO Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., will address the economic and
social impacts of gaming.