After the Florida Senate voted 31-9 in favor of the gambling bill compromise this morning, the House sent the measure to the governor with a 82-35 vote.
The deal will become official once the Seminole Tribe and Gov. Charlie Crist agree to a compact, which must happen by Aug. 21. Indications from the Seminole Tribe appear favorable at this time.
Ante Up is still reviewing <a href="http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=960212.DOCX&DocumentType=Amendments&BillNumber=0788&Session=2009">the bill </a>line by line, and will publish a full review shortly. But the highlights:
<strong>LIMITS: </strong>No limits on poker play (bet sizes, buy-ins or tournament buy-ins) in Indian or parimutuel poker rooms.
<strong>HOURS:</strong> expand to 18 per day Monday-Friday, 24 hours per day on Fridays and Saturdays.
<strong>NEW ROOMS: </strong>Hialeah Track in Miami can open a poker room as soon as it begins racing, as can other new quarter horse tracks. Certain dormant jai-alai permits can be coverted to greyhound racing permits – Palm Beach Kennel Club is tentatively planning to do this and open a second poker room in the county.
<strong>AGE: </strong>Players will need to be 21, not 18, to play.
