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Bill would allow poker during periods
Published: 2005-04-13
 Bill would allow poker during periods
BY BAIRD HELGESON THE TAMPA TRIBUNE
TALLAHASSEE -- Horse and dog track owners are pushing new legislation that would allow them to operate their poker rooms when they aren't running races.
The change would allow the card rooms to generate income during periods when they would otherwise have to be closed, and cash in on the surging popularity of poker, executives with pari-mutuel facilities said.
"There's a huge demand for the card rooms," said Vera Filipelli, a spokeswoman for Derby Lane in St. Petersburg. "This would be a good thing for us." Horse and dog tracks are only allowed to operate their poker rooms during live racing, under current law.
Derby Lane, for instance, is closed several months a year and can't open its card rooms during those times.
The Senate Regulated Industries Committee approved the bill 7-2 on Monday after no debate. There is not an identical House bill, but sponsor Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, said he hopes to tack on the language to another House bill before the session ends.
"We're not expanding gambling, it's already there," Fasano said in an interview.
It's unclear how much the change could increase profits for horse and dog tracks around Florida. State budget analysts estimated that the change would generate another $500,000 in tax revenue.
By comparison, in 2003 state officials estimated that tax collections would increase by $870,000 when lawmakers raised poker pot limits at such venues to $2 per bet with three raises.
Poker is hot around the nation, its fan base stoked by television, the Internet and the potential for big money. In Florida, card rooms -- which often feature Texas Hold Em, Omaha and 7-Card Stud -- have revived the struggling horse and dog track industry, which has lobbied for years to expand gambling as a means to survive.
Like many pari-mutuel facilities around the state, the poker rooms drive many of the business decisions at the St. Petersburg track.
Derby Lane added races on Sunday just so they could open the poker rooms, Filipelli said. It's the first time in years the facility has offered Sunday races.
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Small Town Poker Tour, You're Hired!
Published: 2005-04-13
 Small Town Poker Tour, You're Hired!
Has popularity of Texas Hold'Em, gone from the back room to the board room? Small Town Poker Tour Show, Executive Producer, Mark Fracalossi, would neither confirm or deny the buzz that is surrounding the story. The Small Town Poker Tour Show is a new television show set to hit the air.
"I have received countless calls the past few days asking me to confirm the Trump-Burnett connection," Fracalossi said. "All I can say at this time we have some interesting proposals on the table, and we have not finalized the broadcast end of the deal, what I can say, Make it Happen Productions, a Los Angeles based production company and Billy Frank Creative Director/Executive Producer, have partnered with us to produce the show".
Make It Happen' is a full-service production company that specializes in fully-executed productions from conception through postproduction. "It's not that bad having your name and project associated with such a great American Icon," Fracalossi said.
The show will add a new grass roots look to the nations fastest growing card game Texas Hold'em. The Poker Show will be different from the rest, "We put more on the people aspect and feature unique locations." It will also raise money for charity along the way. The Tour comes to town everyone who lives in that state is invited out to play, 100% of the money is given to a local charity. All of America will get to vote on the Towns the tour visits. The tour will travel all 50 States, in search of the best amature poker player in America.
"We are going to take poker back to where it all started", Fracalossi said. "Everyone views the shows now with their high stakes, and flashy sets, but the roots of Poker games can be found in every small town in the USA."
So don't be surprised if you see someone who looks like the grandmother next door or the guy who bags items at your local store at the final table. "Our goal is to make this a fund raising machine for the towns we visit".
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