The state of Florida has been flirting with full-scale casino gambling for several years. On Friday, two lawmakers in the Sunshine State proposed legislation that would forever change the casino gambling industry on the East Coast.
Senators Dennis Jones and Maria Sachs proposed a bill that, if approved, would bring five Las Vegas
It will be a hard sell to convince a largely Republican Legislature that gambling expansion is the way to go to help the state budget. Although Jones is a member of the Republican Party, it is unlikely he will gain much support for the bill filed Friday.
Opponents have already started to voice their displeasure with the bill. On the surface, it appears the Seminole Indians would have the most to lose if the legislation was to pass. The Seminoles run several of the biggest casinos currently in the state, and competition would possibly hurt the Seminole casinos' bottom line.
The expansion, however, could benefit the Seminoles. The tribe is permitted to offer any games legal under state law at their casinos, so full-scale casino gambling could mean craps, roulette, and other games that the Seminoles do not currently offer at their casinos.
One of the ideas behind the gambling bill that was filed is the increase in tourism revenue that would come with massive casino resorts. Each casino would have to provide at least 1,000 hotel rooms, and 500,000 square feet of meeting space. This would help Florida attract some of the bigger conventions in the country.
Florida most recently expanded their gambling industry last year when they reached a compact agreement with the Seminoles, authorizing blackjack and baccarat at Seminole casinos. Lawmakers also lowered the gambling tax rate that pari-mutuels pay, and eliminated limits in poker rooms across the state.
March 6, 2011
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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