Naples Fort Myers Greyhound Racing Explores Adding Slots

Add Lee County to the list of Florida locations where interest is growing inexpanding the gaming options.

The Southwest Florida Enterprises, the owners of Naples Fort Myers Greyhound Racing and Poker, have informed Bonita Springs officials they want to add slot machines, the Naples Daily News is reporting.

By announcing its intentions, the Lee County dog track wades deeper into a statewide battle over gaming, and it joins three other Florida pari-mutuels taking advantage of a court ruling that upheld any county's ability to approve slot machines by referendum.

"Since people have been moving forward with this, we wanted to make sure that we were included in the conversation and to see how people would feel about it," said Isadore Havenick of Southwest Florida Enterprise, the Daily News reported.

His pitch includes a voluntary contribution of more than $750,000 annually to the city, 400 new construction and permanent jobs and a potential name change to "Bonita Springs Casino," the Daily News reported.

Separate from the bill in the state Legislature that would create a statewide gaming commission and allow a trio of 5-star casino resorts, pari-mutuel operators in Gadsden, Palm Beach and Hamilton counties are actively pursuing expanding facilities to include slot machines.

Tourism officials in Okaloosa County have also said slots may be an avenue to review.

Gadsden County voters will be asked next year to support adding slot machines at Gretna Racing.

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