What Is a Florida Slot License?

Slot licenses require lots of paperwork.

Slot licenses, or slot machine gaming licenses, in Florida are very similar to gaming licenses in other U.S. states that allow gambling. All Florida casinos, as well as casino employees who have contact with the machines, are required to have a license to legally operate or work with slots. There are several levels of Florida slot licenses, depending on who holds the license and for what purpose.

The Law

The Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering, a program of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, enforces the state slot licensing. Anyone wishing to work with slot machines in Florida must apply for a license from this agency. The only locations in Florida that allow slot machine wagering specifically are Broward and Miami-Dade counties, so slot machine licenses will only apply in these areas. Licenses are valid for a period of one year, from July 1 to June 30.

Facility Slot License

Any facility in Broward or Miami-Dade counties that engages in slot machine operations must hold a Florida slot machine license for permit-holders. These allow a casino or racetrack with a permit to operate Class II slot machines. The annual fee is $3.25 million, including the $3 million application fee and the $250,000 regulatory fee. Each individual facility must hold its own permit. As of August 2009, five facilities held this license.

Business Occupational License

Anyone wishing to manage, service or sell slot machines in Florida must hold a Florida slot machine business entity occupational license. This allows casino management companies, slot machine vendors and slot testing facilities to operate in the state of Florida. Applicants must pay a $1,000 annual fee or a $2,000 fee for a three-year license. Applicants for this license must also provide a fingerprint sample and a $43.25 fingerprint processing fee.

Individual Licenses

Any person working with an operational slot machine in Broward or Miami-Dade counties must have an individual license. There are many different types of individual licenses depending on the job duties and amount of slot machine interaction the license-holder has. Individual licenses are $50 per year and are required for many casino employees, such as slot technicians, slot managers, slot attendants, maintenance employees, auditors, information technology employees and even some food service positions. Just as with a business occupational license, fingerprints and a fingerprinting fee are required.

Educational Licenses

Facilities in Florida that require exposure to slot machines for training or educational purposes, but not for gambling or gaming, must have slot machine educational facility licenses. This might include facilities that perform slot technician or maintenance training as well as operational training for management or other casino personnel. There is a $100 fee for a one-year license and a $150 fee for a three-year license.

References

• Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering
• Fees for Slot Machine License