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Plans for increased gambling revenues are moving forward at the state capitol. Today a Senate Committee approved the expansion of gaming at all of the state’s pari-mutuels, including horse tracks. Casinos in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties would get Black Jack and other card games, with the Seminole tribe continuing to have exclusive rights to some high level gaming. Sponsor Dennis Jones says the state is losing out and needs to move into the 21st Century.

“This would be a very popular economic boom to Florida,” Jones said. “We lose 3.5 million tourists a year. Now we know that they charter planes and buses to Las Vegas and Mississippi. We’re going to retain those people to spend money in Florida. We’re going to attract Europeans and Asians that come for gaming destinations.”

The vote sets the gambling measure up for a vote in the full Senate and for a show down with the house that generally favors less gambling in the state.