Decision Day for South Florida Slot Machines

Voters in Broward and Miami-Dade counties in South Florida will decide today whether to allow slot machines at seven pari-mutuel facilities in the two counties.

In Miami-Dade, the slots referendum is the only issue on the ballot. In Broward, there are municipal elections in 19 communities.

Last November, the two counties won the right to place the slots question on the ballot when voters statewide passed a referendum.

Should the measures pass in the two counties, state lawmakers must adopt enabling legislation. Facilities in line for slots are Calder Race Course, Gulfstream Park, Pompano Park, Hollywood Greyhound, Flagler Greyhound, Dania Ja Alai, and Miami Ja Alai.

"The slot machine vote is the number one priority item on the ballot in both counties, and has been our main focus for most of the past few months." Pompano general manager Dick Feinberg said in a release. "We have been working on it since we won the statewide vote on Nov. 2 and, we hope to win once again."

Supporters and opponents have spent millions of dollars on their respective campaigns. Signage and advertisements on radio, television, and at pari-mutuel facilities have been plentiful in South Florida in recent weeks.