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Judge's ruling clearing way for Broward slots appealed

FORT LAUDERDALE - The Broward County prosecutor's office on Friday asked an appeals court to clarify how slot machines should be regulated, adding to the uncertainty over when dog and horse tracks and jai alai venues can offer them.

Circuit Judge Leroy Moe ruled this week that Broward County parimutuels could go forward with slots starting July 1, even though the state Legislature has not enacted rules for their use.

Broward voters authorized slot machines in March. The vote followed a constitutional amendment passed last year by voters statewide allowing slots at Broward and Miami-Dade County tracks and jai alai frontons if local voters agreed. Miami-Dade voters rejected them.

Broward County State Attorney Michael J. Satz said Friday in a statement that he is appealing Moe's decision to the 4th District Court of Appeal because he is "concerned about the manner and means by which the constitutional amendment is implemented."

Satz said he supports the will of the people to allow slots. But he said the Legislature should establish the rules, such as how many each facility can have and how they are regulated. Lawmakers ended their annual session in May without passing such rules.

Moe's ruling gave the Broward County Commission until July 1 to enact the rules. He said if the commission doesn't, he could do it.

The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by the potential slot venues seeking clarification of their legal rights and concerned about prosecution under antigambling laws.

Gov. Jeb Bush said earlier this week it doesn't make sense to have county commissioners write the rules and he is still hopeful legislators will work out a consensus on returning to Tallahassee for a special session to write them. He also thought Moe's ruling might be overturned on appeal.

[Last modified June 25, 2005, 00:34:16]