Byline: Amy Driscoll

Oct. 10--A 60-percent tax bite and growing competition are hampering Broward County's "racinos," race tracks that offer Las Vegas-style slot machines that so far have generated disappointing profits, an industry analyst said Tuesday.

"With a heavy gaming tax and a lot of competition, it's a big hole to dig out from," said Bill Lerner, managing director and senior gaming analyst at Deutsche Bank. "The tracks are hamstrung."

Lerner made his assessment during an industry-backed conference, the Florida Gaming Summit, held at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino near Hollywood to analyze the state's changing gambling landscape.

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