Aside from allowing the Seminole Tribe's seven Florida casinos to add craps and roulette, the House also agreed to provide a financial boost for parimutuels such as Tampa Bay Downs that don't have slot machines. Until this week, the House had favored keeping the state's gambling industry status quo, but on Wednesday the chamber agreed to a number of changes. "It is clear that there needs to be a bright line in the Florida Constitution that gives Florida voters the exclusive right to authorize gambling in our state." "This conference committee process is a prime example why gambling expansion should not be subject to legislative 'sausage making,' as it results in gambling creep," said John Sowinski, president of No Casinos. The House's compromises, made behind closed doors with Senate leaders, alarmed gambling opponents. "They're smart enough to look ahead but smart enough to know things can change." "They are always considering what options are out there and doing their best to get ahead of them, but until something is final, it's premature to say there are plans," said Seminole Tribe spokesman Gary Bitner.
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