Associated Press
With a $3 billion gambling compact with the Seminole Tribe now before state lawmakers, a Palm Beach County senator filed legislation Monday to create a new state gambling commission.
Sen. Maria Sachs has proposed the five-member commission to be appointed by the governor. The new Department of Gaming, headed by these commissioners, would be charged with overseeing “the activities of all gaming entities, to regulate their operations, to enforce gaming laws and regulations,” under the bill.
The new agency would combine duties regarding gambling now provided by the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Lottery Department and Agriculture Department.
Similar proposals have been made in three of the past four years, and all have failed.
House Speaker Steve Crisafulli of Merritt Island said last week that he thought it was time for the state to have such an oversight commission.
