Years of working together to expand gaming in the state seem to have stalled.  According to state law, the pari-mutuals are only allowed to operate their poker rooms for 12 hours a day per license.  Seems straight forward right?  Well Mardi Gras Gaming is saying they actually have 2 separate licenses and can operate 12 hours on one...and 12 hours on the other.  That would allow poker at Mardi Gras to be open 24 hours a day.

Gulfstream Racing and Casino is currently trying to keep up with Mardi Gras Gaming and is now trying to block them from using the 2 licenses.   This in a way is a bit 'unfair' on Mardi Gras' part...but if they are allowed 2 licenses...why isn't anyone else? 

With the Seminoles gearing up for table games in a few months...you would think that the state would relax or change these poker rules a bit.  The state really needs the revenue right now and poker seems to be still quite popular.  While gaming isn't a guaranteed 'fix' for Florida's tax revenue issue...it could help.  The 3 casinos have been open for a year and have brought in a good chunk of money.  Maybe not as much as expected...but they are just starting to get off of their feet.   The tax rates should have been set on a 'sliding' scale like the state is doing for the Seminoles.  That would give the 3 casinos time to build some capital an invest it into the properties.