Governor to allow higher-stakes poker law without signing bill

Associated Press Writer
Published Wednesday, August 06, 2003

TALLAHASSEE (AP) -- A measure opponents say could encourage gambling by allowing bigger stakes in poker games at dog tracks and jai alai frontons will become law without his signature, Gov. Jeb Bush said Tuesday.

Gambling opponents had urged the governor to veto the bill, fearing it will dramatically increase the amount players can win in poker games at dog tracks and jai alai frontons, thus increasing the number of people gambling.

It also could lead horse tracks to add poker rooms because it eliminates a requirement that thoroughbred tracks choose between evening simulcasting and running a card room. Dog tracks aren't bound by that provision and Bush cited equalizing treatment for horse tracks as one reason he decided to not veto the law.

The bill was sought by track proprietors, who say they're losing customers to other forms of legal gambling, such as Indian casinos and cruise ships. Bush had until midnight Tuesday to either veto it, sign it or let it become law without his name on it.

"We appreciate the fact that there is recognition of the need to assist the pari-mutuel industry in the state," said Ron Book, a lobbyist for several horse and dog tracks.

The measure (HB 1059) eliminates a $10 per game pot limit in track card rooms, replacing it with a $2 bet limit and a maximum of three raises per round. But the number of rounds won't be limited and legislative staff estimated players could win as much as $200 under the measure.

Still, Bush said he considered that change irrelevant.

"It is changing, kind of, the rules of a poker game, taking away one thing and adding another and that really doesn't expand gambling," Bush said.

The anti-greyhound racing group GREY2K USA had pushed the governor to veto it, saying some dog tracks that otherwise might go out of business could be propped up with poker.

"Certainly we're disappointed that the bill wasn't vetoed just as we were disappointed the Legislature passed the bill," said Carey Theil, a spokesman for the group.

Opponents also have raised concerns that one section of the bill dealing with where card rooms can operate could open the door for future changes that might allow poker rooms that aren't at a pari-mutuel facility. The bill has language allowing card rooms to be operated "as otherwise authorized by law."

The bill does continue to require approval from individual county commissions before a card room can be opened.

Bush stressed that there remains a limit on when the rooms can operate -- which was a chief concern last year when he vetoed a similar measure. The measure only allows card room betting between noon and midnight on any day a pari-mutuel event is conducted live. Last year's bill would have allowed card room operation during simulcast events, further expanding the hours during which patrons could play poker.

Bush said that helped him make up his mind.

"While I strongly believe that gambling should not be used as a generator of new revenue or promoted as value-neutral public policy, recommended changes to last year's legislation were made to make this bill acceptable," Bush wrote in a letter explaining his decision.