TALLAHASSEE ? The House's stripped-down version of a gambling overhaul bill cleared its first committee Thursday by allowing slot machines at the Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track, but its chances for passage are dwindling as the legislative session draws to a close.

The bill (HB 1233), approved by the Regulatory Affairs Committee on a 14-4 vote, included last-minute amendments that would allow slot machines at the greyhound tracks in Lee and Palm Beach counties and authorize nonbinding countywide referendums for any future destination casino resorts.

A provision that would have allowed two such casino resorts in South Florida already had been cut from the bill, sponsored by Rep. Dana Young of Tampa, the House Republican leader.

In fact, their slick television advertisements hardly mention greyhound racing or slot machine gambling at all. They call themselves the 'Yes for Local Control Committee' and claim this is a pro. There was nothing about the Naples-Fort Myers greyhound track, which has tried for years to add slot machines. Local voters even OK'd slots at the dog track in a 2012 referendum. Scott’s deal adds. Naples-Fort Myers Dog Track Wants To Add Slot Machines If Referendum Passes If slots are allowed, the city would receive 1.5 percent of monthly revenues from Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Racing & Poker and, if revenues are over $250 million, the city will receive 2.5 percent.

Young's measure still must clear two more panels before it can be considered on the House floor ? and there's a competing Senate gambling bill. The session ends May 1.

'I'm taking it one day at a time,' Young said.

Her bill now would create a statewide gambling commission and includes a 'decoupling' provision, essentially removing the requirement that dog tracks run live races if they wish to offer other gambling, like slots and card rooms.

It also clamps down on permits for parimutuels ? horse and dog tracks ? by revoking unused permits, forbidding the issuance of new ones and discontinuing the practice of allowing tracks to swap permits between them.

Young's bill does not address the Seminole Compact, the 2010 gambling agreement between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida that includes a five-year deal granting the tribe exclusive rights to blackjack in return for a guaranteed minimum payment of $1 billion.

The tribe offers blackjack at five of its seven casinos, including the Tampa Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. That deal expires at the end of July and Gov. Rick Scott's office and tribal leaders have been unable to agree on renewal terms.

The Senate bill (SB 7088) approved Wednesday by its Regulated Industries committee includes a one-year extension of the current card games deal to allow more time for negotiation. It also includes provisions such as decoupling both dog and horse tracks and would open the door for the state's remaining jai alai frontons to convert into card rooms.

The House provision allowing slots at dog tracks applies only to the Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track and the Palm Beach Kennel Club.

More than 60 percent of Lee County voters approved slot machines at that track in a 2012 referendum. Izzy Havenick, spokesman for the Naples-Fort Myers track, which is actually in Bonita Springs, said he was 'very happy to be included in the conversation.'

His family owns Miami's Magic City Casino, which offers slots, poker and dog racing, as well as the Lee County track.

Lee County voters 'have already allowed us to have another product to compete with all the other options around us,' he added.

The Seminoles operate a casino in Immokalee, about a 45 minute drive to the east. It is one of the five Seminole casinos offering blackjack.

That section allowing gambling at the Lee County track, however, would kick into effect only if the Seminole Compact were changed to allow it.

Besides blackjack, the tribe also has exclusivity to offer slots except for parimutuels in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

State Rep. John Wood, a Winter Haven Republican, brought up the compact in listing reasons he voted against the bill, calling it an expansion of gambling that never should have happened.

'What we did with the Seminoles did not have the prior authorization of the people,' he said in debate. 'We got off track when we got into that compact.'

But Jared Evan Moskowitz, a Coral Springs Democrat, called the proposal 'just a fight over morals,' referring to those who oppose dog racing on animal welfare grounds.

'The time has come for us to undo what I believe is a mistake,' he said, mentioning that dog racing's appeal has plummeted. 'These dogs are running in a circle with nobody watching.'

Contract Tribune reporter jrosica@tampatrib.com and (850) 765-0807

Long election lines Tuesday in Lee County meant some voters stood waiting to cast ballots after some state and national races were called.

The long lines delayed local results until late into the evening, making national news.

By 11:30 p.m., Barack Obama had been projected the winner in the presidential race, but Lee County still had only reported 88 percent of precincts. People stood waiting to vote at 35 precincts at 10 p.m., NBC-2 reported.

Lee County Supervisor of Elections Sharon Harrington told the television station the elections office wanted everyone to remain patient.

'We used the same amount of equipment in 2008,' she said. 'We had some very long lines. I think it's amazing that people are so anxious to vote.'

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More than 173,000 ballots were cast in Lee County.

At the Holiday Inn in Downtown Fort Myers, supporters of Lee County School Board District 2 incumbent Jeanne Dozier stayed at a watch party late in the night, ultimately leaving when the final numbers weren't in by 11:30 p.m.

'I expected it to be a late night,' Dozier said, 'but I didn't expect it to be this late.'

The race between Dozier and challenger Robert Chilmonik was close, with just a few percentage points separating the two and Dozier predicting a 'nailbiter.' But she kept the lead and at 11:30 had about 52 percent of the vote.

'I'm just so humbled by the support that everyone has given,' Dozier said. 'I think the people have spoken.'

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The race between the two had been heated. Chilmonik and Dozier sat on the board together from 2000 until 2010 and often disagreed. That didn't stop when they were pitted against each other in the race.

Chilmonik, who watched the results at a friend's home in Cape Coral, said just before midnight he planned to wait for the last vote before conceding.

'I'm not being overly optimistic about it, but I would like to see where the absentee votes are and where we end up,' he said. 'I want to wish the best to Jeanne, I want to wish the best to the school district and to the board members and them pulling together to do what's best for our children.'

Incumbents prevailed in Lee County's other major races. Sheriff Mike Scott and sitting County Commissioners John Manning and Frank Mann all secured re-election. Scott had about 65 percent of the vote just before midnight. Manning won about 96 percent in his race against a write-in candidate and Mann took about 60 percent against a minor party challenger.

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The other commission seats up for election went to Republicans Cecil Pendergrass and Larry Kiker, who had about 67 percent and 63 percent of the vote just before midnight. Kiker will replace longtime Lee Commissioner Ray Judah. Pendergrass will replace Commissioner Brian Bigelow, who left his seat for an unsuccessful bid for county clerk.

In Tuesday's election, Lee County voters approved a referendum to allow slot machines at the Bonita Springs-based Naples Fort Myers Greyhound Track, subject to authorization by the Legislature.

Just before midnight in Lee, Tuesday's referendum received approval by about 63 percent of the voters to allow slot machines at the dog track. Another 37 percent of Lee County voters said they didn't want slot machines.

'We hope the Legislature follows the lead of the voters, who supported this, and allow us to start employing and creating an entertainment destination at the track,' said Izzy Havenick, the track's vice president of political affairs.

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Even if voters approve slot machines, state legislators still have to pass a law allowing slot machines at the track and at other locations. If lawmakers approve, Bonita Springs dog track owners would break ground in June and open in summer 2014.

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Estero resident Roy Hyman, a former Atlantic City resident who is opposed to adding slot machines at the dog track, said casino and slot machine gambling are addictive and dangerous.

'Slots machines are what is known as the crack machines of gambling,' Hyman said.

Moreover, he said the kind of jobs that are created from slot machines will not help the economy.

Track operators have agreed to pay the city of Bonita Springs 1.5 percent of the track's annual slots revenue for the first $250 million the track earns each year. Any amount over $250 million will result in a 2.5 percent cut for the city.

Dog track owners have tentative plans to develop the 99-acre site at the southeast corner of Bonita Beach and Old 41 roads with a 200,000-square-foot clubhouse plus retail, office, night club and restaurant space.

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