Former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham is seeking to submit a brief to the Florida Supreme Court arguing against allowing slot machines at a North Florida pari-mutuel facility.
Graham, represented by former state lawmaker Dan Gelber, filed a motion Wednesday seeking permission to file a friend-of-the-court brief in a closely watched case that involves Gretna Racing in Gadsden County.
Gretna Racing is challenging a 1st District Court of Appeal ruling in October that said legislative approval is needed before slot machines could be offered at the facility.
Gadsden County voters in 2012 approved a referendum aimed at allowing slots, and Gretna Racing argues it should be allowed to offer the lucrative machines.
In Wednesday’s motion, Graham noted his decades in public office, which included serving in the Legislature before he was elected governor in 1978.
“If allowed to appear, Bob Graham would support the … Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation and its attempt to bar slot machines in the city of Gretna,’’ the motion said. "He would argue that Gretna Racing's interpretation of (a section of state law) contradicts the Florida Constitution's prohibition against lotteries."
The motion also said Graham would focus in the brief on "the Florida Constitution, its prohibition against lotteries, and the legislative history surrounding that prohibition — areas that the parties might largely disregard."
The motion noted that Gretna Racing opposes Graham’s attempt to file a brief.
The Supreme Court’s Gretna decision could have wide-ranging implications because voters in Brevard, Hamilton, Lee, Palm Beach and Washington counties also have approved referendums seeking to allow slot machines.