Florida Supreme Court to decide if tracks win jackpot

The Florida Supreme Court is considering a case that could open the door to slot machines at dog and horse tracks across the state.

The high court will hold a hearing Tuesday on whether or not to allow slot machines at a facility located 25 miles west of Tallahassee.

The 1st District Court of Appeal ruled last year that slot machines could not be installed. But the decision was unusual, because the same court had previously ruled that slot machines were allowed because Gadsden County voters approved a referendum authorizing them.

The final decision could have a wide effect, because voters in Lee, Brevard and Palm Beach counties, as well as the north Florida counties of Hamilton and Washington, have approved similar referendums.

State regulators turned down the request for the slot machines at the urging of Attorney General Pam Bondi.