Push for Legalizing Casinos in 2012
(Posted January 03, 2012 07:59 am)
Will Miami be a destination for gambling? Photo: Miami
skyline.
By Les Coleman
TALLAHASSEE, FL - The Florida Senate has held two workshops on a proposal that would allow three destination casino resorts to be built in South Florida. The bill represents $6 billion in investments in Florida. Supporters say it would create thousands of jobs. But polls indicate the state is divided on the issue, and that division can be heard in lawmakers' remarks.
Senate President Mike Haridopolos promises a vote on the proposal early in the session.
Link:
Resorts World Miami
"Let's have a final vote on the Senate floor, up or
down. It is my understanding there will be a lot of
amendments offered. I don't know if it will be a
complete strike-all, but a lot of amendments will be
offered in the first week of the session."
Bill sponsors argue the focus should be on the trade
shows that the mega-resorts could lure to Florida, not
on the Las Vegas-style gambling slots.
But would gambling mega-resorts be welcomed by all
Floridians? Juan Harris, a gambling-addiction activist,
urges that social concerns trump the lure of easy tax
revenues.
"I do know that 35 percent of compulsive gamblers will
commit a crime to support their gambling addiction."
Largo State Sen. Dennis Jones is a bill co-sponsor,
along with Delray Beach State Sen. Maria Sachs.