Judge’s Order Shuts Down More Florida Gambling

Judge’s Order Shuts Down More Florida Gambling

Bogus “Pari-Mutuel Barrel Racing” shut down by today’s ruling

(Tallahassee) — What a difference a year makes.  A year ago, gambling interests told Floridians and their legislators that gambling in Florida was inevitable and unstoppable.  They said our only choice was to decide where and what kind of gambling we’ll have.   Now just weeks after the biggest reduction in gambling in Florida history – the shut down of internet cafés – a Florida administrative law judge has closed yet another giant gambling loophole.

Today, Administrative Law Judge John G. Van Landingham issued an 85-page opinion stating that the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering was incorrect in granting a pari-mutuel barrel-racing permit to a facility in the panhandle town of Gretna.

“The Gretna permit was a sham from the beginning – nothing more than a gambling anchor to which the owners hoped to also moor poker rooms and slot machines,” said No Casinos President John Sowinski.  “The Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering should accept the judge’s decision and cancel ‘pari-mutuel barrel-racing’ permits and licenses immediately.”