A House Republican has proposed repealing an obscure law that has spurred a fight about the possibility of adding new jai-alai operations in South Florida. Rep. Shawn Harrison, R-Tampa, filed a bill (HB 4173) this week that would eliminate a law dealing with what are known as “summer jai alai” permits. The state Department of Business and Professional Regulation used the law when it decided in October to grant such a permit to the owners of the Magic City Casino in Miami. Also, Everglades Jai Alai LLC has proposed obtaining such a permit in Broward County. While jai alai does not enjoy wide popularity, the permits could be valuable because they would allow the operation of cardrooms and possibly slot machines. The owners of Mardi Gras Casino in Broward County filed a lawsuit this month in Leon County circuit court that, in part, challenged the constitutionality of the summer jai-alai law, which was first enacted in 1980. New jai-alai operations could pose competition to facilities such as Mardi Gras.
Via The News Service of Florida.
