After a Tallahassee Appeals Court reversed its decision and ruled legislative approval is needed for pari-mutuels to operate slot machines, a track in Gretna is hoping the state Supreme Court will take the case.
Attorney Marc Dunbar with the firm Jones Walker, is representing Creek Entertainment in Gretna. He says the question is really a state-wide issue, with several pari-mutuels other than North Florida's involved.
“You have another case that’s pending in the fourth district court of appeal that’s already been briefed on the same issue, filed by Palm Beach Kennel Club. Separate and apart from that, you have other slot machine applications that have either been completed or already been filed with the department that would result in an appeal out of the second district court of appeal, so you have three different courts of appeal all facing the same basic question,” Dunbar says.
Dunbar says in his experience, that's typically the type of case the Supreme Court takes up. Creek Entertainment is arguing it is allowed to operate slot machines since Gadsden County citizens passed a referendum approving of the move.
