MIAMI, July 29 (UPI) -- Voters statewide will get an opportunity to vote on whether to allow slot machines in south Florida's horse and dog tracks and jai-alai frontons.
The Secretary of State's office has approved a Nov. 2 ballot item in which Miami-Dade and Broward counties can allow slot machines with about 35 percent of the profits going to education, The Miami Herald reported Thursday.
Florida vote4rs have voted no on casino gambling three times since 1978, but supporters of the new measure hope this time will be different because it will be limited to seven locations.
States have been expanding gambling recently, especially in pari-mutuel facilities, which have been experiencing dwindling attendance and handle as bettors find other venues for gambling.
Opponents of the measure see it as a way for track owners to enrich themselves and expect it to be voted down.
"This is clearly a brazen attempt by wealthy dog track owners to cash in on casino gambling," said Carey Theil, head of Grey2K USA, a greyhound advocacy group.
