Florida Gaming Summit to Play Timely Role in Gaming Debate
BROWARD COUNTY, FL, October 12, 2005. 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.
The entire conference agenda and online registration are available at http://www.floridagamingsummit.com/.
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