BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Eyewitness News has learned that a recent court ruling could eventually bring slot machines to part of Brevard County.
County voters approved slot machines at the Melbourne Greyhound Park in 2012, but the state put the slots on hold in Brevard County and other areas of Florida.
An appeals court ruled that the state should have listened to the voters and allowed the slot machines in another county.
The general manager of the Melbourne Greyhound Park, Jim O'Brien, said he's still waiting for the state to react to the ruling.
O'Brien told Eyewitness News that the facility would prefer not to race dogs at all because it's not profitable. But he said the only way to operate the popular poker room there is to keep racing greyhounds.
"It costs us $150,000 and we're lucky to have 20 people in the stands," O'Brien said.
Lawmakers still haven't cleared the way to allow slot machines at pari-mutuel facilities like the Melbourne Greyhound Park.
"We have an agreement with Brevard County and the city of Melbourne that when and if we get slots, they get a percentage of the revenue," O'Brien said.
The state has limited slot machines to south Florida race tracks and casinos run by the Seminole tribe. But after the appeals ruling, facilities across the state are waiting to see what happens next.
"We may fill out an application and be ready to apply, pending what we're thinking will be an appeal," O'Brien said.
The state's Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the Attorney General's Office said it's reviewing the court ruling.
WFTV
