Judge rejects pari-mutuel’s bid to change gambling ruling

A federal judge has rejected a request from a tiny Northwest Florida pari-mutuel to reconsider his decision in a legal battle between the Seminole Tribe and the state about gambling at tribal casinos.

More than a month after U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled in favor of the Seminoles, Gretna Racing in Gadsden County sought in December to intervene in the long-running case.

Hinkle, however, indicated his ruling in the dispute between the state and the tribe does not affect Gretna.

“The judgment in this case has no binding effect on Gretna, and the order explaining the judgment will have a practical effect only to extent a future tribunal finds the reasoning persuasive,” Hinkle wrote. “If, as Gretna seems to believe, it has additional evidence that will persuade a judge to reach a different result, Gretna will be free to present the evidence if ever its own interests become the subject of a judicial or administrative proceeding.”

Gretna is awaiting a decision from the Florida Supreme Court in a lawsuit filed after state gambling regulators refused to grant the track’s request for a slot machines permit.

Gretna sought the permit after Gadsden County voters approved a referendum allowing slots at the pari-mutuel.

The Gretna case is focused on whether gambling operators can add slots if county voters give the go-ahead, even without the exthe press permission of the Legislature. The court’s decision could have far-reaching implications: Voters in seven other counties —Brevard, Duval, Hamilton, Lee, Palm Beach, St. Lucie and Washington — have also approved slots at local pari-mutuels.

Amid the legal wrangling, Gov. Rick Scott’s administration and