Bogdanoff Expects Tax Parity Among Pari-Mutuels and Proposed Casinos

State Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, one of the authors of the destination gaming bill, expects the proposal will be changed so thatrevenue from theexisting pari-mutuels is placed at the same rate with the mega-casinos allowed in her bill.

Theres no doubt in my mind that this bill doesnt get out of the Senate without parity, the South Florida Business Journal reported Bogdanoff saying Tuesday.

Bogdanoff's comments came as she appeared at a Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce forum.

In addition to allowing three resort casinos to be built in counties where slots are legalized, and the establishment of a statewide gaming commission, the bill currently maintains the 35 percent tax revenue requirement for the existing pari-mutuels while requiring the new mega-resorts to pay the state 10 percent of their revenue.

In part because of the imbalance, pari-mutuel owners have sided with outfits such as the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Disney that are opposed to the bill now before the Legislature.

The South Florida Business Journal speculated thataltering the bill torequire tax revenue parity could change the opposition from pari-mutuels.

"That sets up a scenario where pari-mutuels opposed to the current legislation could switch sides and support the legislation," the South Florida Business Journal reported.

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