Governor to curtail slot machine impact

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., March 10 (UPI) -- Opponents of slot machines in some Florida racetracks and jai-alai frontons say they will try to limit the devices to those now used in Indian casinos.

Residents of Broward County voted Tuesday to allow the machines in four pari-mutuel establishments but in Miami-Dade County the idea was voted down.

Gov. Jeb Bush and many lawmakers now want to ban the Las Vegas-style Class III slot machines, which can have bigger payouts and are believed to be more lucrative, The Miami Herald reported Wednesday.

"There's nothing in the initiative that would suggest we have to have Class III slots," Bush said.

Ron Book, a lobbyist for the pari-mutuel industry, said that's not what the voters want.

"That's not what the public demands and it's not what the public has voted on," Book said. "The public voted on slot machines, which are Las Vegas slot machines."

He said the industry will go to the courts if Bush prevails.