Such a solution has been dubbed the "Glienicke Bridge"—the place in Berlin where spies were swapped in the cold war.More likely, Mr Schröder will continue to gamble, forcing a parliamentary showdown.
But in a setback for pro-gambling forces, a state court ruled recently that a gambling compact between New York and the Mohawks was void, and that the governor must first seek approval from the State Legislature.
The battle is already being waged not so much between pro- and anti-gambling forces as among rival factions favoring full-scale casinos.
While pro-gambling forces were on the march this year, the bill's most potent foe, Donald J. Trump, largely retreated from the field.
But anti-gambling forces believe they have good grounds for challenging the legality of slot machines under the State Constitution, which contains anti-gambling provisions.
Horse racing is a sport that has been historically targeted by anti-gambling forces and has struggled to find traction as a mainstream option in an increasingly crowded sports entertainment market.
Over the last six months, Governor Pataki has come under sharp attack from anti-gambling forces in New York, as well as from Donald J. Trump and other casino operators in Atlantic City.
It also wants a host of new studies on the relationship between gambling and various social problems, such as bankruptcy, divorce, domestic violence, suicide and crime; and it recommends sorting out the sovereignty issues related to Indian gaming.Both pro- and anti-gambling forces think the report is on their side.
If anything, the lawmakers say, their bill would lure a wealthier, international clientele and bring a sense of coherence to Florida gambling by forcing the creation of an independent gambling commission, which would oversee gambling in the state.
A scandal over an illegal gambling racket forced Mr Estrada from office; now his successor seems determined to risk her credibility on a high-stakes bet of her own.
The state attorney general, Troy King, a Republican who says there is still legal uncertainty about the machines, has fought fiercely with the governor over the gambling task force, going so far as to accuse Mr. Riley of creating a constitutional crisis.
