County will hear input on poker at dog track

Florida - Cardroom gaming at Pensacola Greyhound Track is back on the table for consideration.

The Escambia County Commision on Thursday voted 4-1 to have a public hearing Dec. 11 on whether to allow poker cardrooms at parimutuel gaming facilities. Such an ordinance would only affect the greyhound dog track.

District 3 Commissioner Marie Young voted against having the meeting.

"It's an indication I'm probably going to vote against the whole idea," said Young, chairwoman of the commission.

Commissioner Gene Valentino brought up the issue in February 2007, when the same board voted down poker games at the track, 4-1.

"It would represent at least 150 additional jobs for this county, according to the operators," Valentino said. "Admittedly, this isn't the best kind of jobs, but in this very fragile and delicate economy, it is certainly welcomed."

Mark Harrison of Pensacola isn't much of a gambler but believes it could promote economic development for the county.

"I wouldn't use it, but I personally would be OK with it if it were properly monitored," said Harrison, 48. "It would be a source of revenue in Escambia County. We already have games of chance in the area; the racetrack, bingo parlors and the lottery."

The Florida Legislature created the law several years ago that allows cardroom gaming at pari-mutuel gaming facilities — greyhound tracks, thoroughbred tracks, jai-alai frontons and harness tracks — but it must be approved by individual counties for it to take effect.

Chris Forehand, 30, moved to Pensacola from Greenville, Miss., where riverboat gambling is available. Seeing the effects of it there soured him on any kind of gambling.

"I could see the effect on people's lives there, people who couldn't afford gambling," Forehand said. "I don't think they should allow it. I think it's another way to take people's money."

Of the 26 pari-mutuel wagering facilities in Florida, 21 have cardrooms.

Only Pensacola Greyhound Track, Jacksonville Kennel Club, Sanford Orlando Kennel Club, Florida Jai Alai in Fern Park, and Calder/Tropical (Thoroughbred Track) Park in Miami do not, according to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, which regulates pari-mutuel wagering facilities.
pnj.com

News Added: 21 November, 2008

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