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Slot machines approved for race tracks

MIAMI, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- A constitutional amendment has been passed to put slot machines in seven racetracks and pari-mutuel plants in two south Florida Counties.

The measure designed to help the pari-mutuel industry and education passed only after a computer glitch was discovered in Broward County the day after the election.

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With all precincts in, there were 3,609 votes for the amendment and 3,516,415 against, or 51-49 percent, the St. Petersburg Times reported Friday.

Under the amendment, voters in Miami-Dade County and Broward County can vote in a separate referendum to allow slot machines at seven existing pari-mutuel facilities.

The glitch occurred when the software program stopped counting votes when they reached a built-in cap and started subtracting them instead.

The problem first surfaced two years ago, and when technicians realized what was going on Thursday, they fixed it and the counting resumed.

Under the amendment, tax money levied on the machines must supplement state education money.

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