In a questionable political move, Missouri Rep. Scott Largent attempts to allow loans at casinos

Casino Watch Focus has reported many times that even though casino gambling is legal in Missouri, the legislature has taken many steps to safeguard its citizens from the dangers of gambling.  The Legislature successfully prevented all legislative attempts at removing a unique safeguard, the $500 loss limit, which essentially caped the amount of money that was able to be gambled and lost at one time.  The loss limit and other safeguards existed until the casino industry waged an expensive ballot initiative that removed it.  One past legislator, who was known for accepting large amount of money from the casino industry and in turn, proposing countless bills to remove these safeguards, was Rep. Shannon Cooper. His replacement, Rep. Scott Largent, appears to have picked up where Rep. Cooper left off.  The St. Louis Post Dispatch is reporting that Rep. Largent has managed to get an amendment into a bill that would allow loans at casinos.  This move appears to be politically unfavorable to his colleagues and it creates serious pitfalls for problem gamblers:

House Financial Institutions Committee added the change onto a banking bill Wednesday with no debate. Committee members endorsed it by a 13-1 vote, sending the measure to the full House after the Rules Committee approves it.

Gamblers who pass a credit check would be able to borrow money and exchange it for electronic tokens and chips for wagering.

Jamilah Nasheed, a St. Louis Democrat, said lawmakers should try to help protect problem gamblers from themselves. Nasheed voted for the bill but now says she would have voted “no” if she had known what the amendment did.

“I made a mistake,” Nasheed said. “I don’t think gamblers should take out loans. You have gamblers who are addicted. It hurts their family. They lose their property. The divorce rate is high.”

Passage in the House would send the bill to the Senate, which has been less inclined to pass gambling bills. In fact, the sponsor of the underlying bill, Sen. Ron Richard, R-Joplin, wasn’t unhappy to learn of the credit amendment.

Casino Gambling was originally passed in 1992 with multiple safeguards in place.  The original plan was to simply allow a short, two-hour riverboat cruise on the Missouri or Mississippi river, which would allow for select and controlled gambling.  Now, virtually every aspect of what Missouri citizens originally voted for has been stripped clean, leaving full-blown casino gambling, on land, with no loss limits.  This bill would remove one of the last safeguards and expose Missouri families to serious gambling problems.  The Post Dispatch continues:

The credit ban was also part of the original law. Under the bill, customers would have to qualify for a line of credit of at least $5,000. Bill proponents say that would weed out those with gambling addictions and others who couldn’t afford to go into debt to gamble. But critics say casinos entice people to wager more than they can afford.  “Any time you make it easier for people who have gambling problems to increase their debt, then you make the problem worse for them,” said Keith Spare of the Missouri Council on Problem Gambling Concerns.

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Florida Mega Resort Casinos to Appear on 2014 Ballot – Voters Beware

Casino Watch Focus reported that the legislation being pushed by the Genting Group and others to legalize mega-resort casinos died in the legislature during this years session. The leadership in Florida was strong and outspoken against expanded gambling.  They were representative of their constituents as well as a voice of economic and social reason.  Now, The Miami Herald is reporting that the casinos will attempt to go circumvent the legislature and go directly before Florida voters:

After failing to persuade the Florida Legislature to pass a bill to open South Florida to mega resort casinos, gambling interests have taken the first steps to bring the issue directly to voters in 2014.

A political committee under the name of “New Jobs and Revenues for Florida” was created April 10 with the purpose of promoting a “statewide constitutional initiative re gaming.

The only group so far that has expressed an interest in conducting a petition drive to bypass lawmakers and go directly to voters is the Genting Group, the Malaysian-based conglomerate that has kept a low profile since a House committee knocked its chances off the legislative agenda in mid-session.

The petition process will take some time and Florida residents can have a big impact in stopping the measure before it gets off the ground.  The group behind this initiative petition will need to gather a significant amount of votes.  The Miami Herald explains:

The petition process requires that the organization get petitions signed by eight percent of the voters in the last presidential election to put the constitutional amendment on the ballot. The proposal must then be approved by 60 percent of the voters.

That’s a heavy lift, especially since statewide polls showed that while support was high for the casino measure in South Florida, there was less than 60 percent support in every other region of the state. Meanwhile, voters have blocked attempts to authorize casino gambling three other times when casino initiatives were on the ballot in 1978, 1986 and in 1994.

The pari-mutuel industry won approval to bring slot machines to eight race tracks, dog tracks and jai alai frontons only after telling voters the new gambling venues would be limited to Miami Dade and Broward.

This is a critical time for people to step up and make their voices heard.  Missouri knows all too well that the casino industry will spend millions of dollars to orchestrate a deceptive and slick campaign offering false promises in exchange for expanded gambling. Once the public is deceived, they will back peddle on their promises, and instead deliver heart-ache and torment to vulnerable Florida families.  However, The Miami Harold points to a group that is steadfast in its opposition:

No Casinos, the anti-gambling group backed by Disney and Miami auto magnate Norman Braman, is ready to oppose the initiative campaign, said John Sowinski, director of the group.

“Our sense is that legislators weren’t fooled by the slick sales pitch and Florida voters won’t be fooled by it either,’’ he said. “If Genting, or whoever this committee is, filed an amendment to expanding gambling in Florida, we will put together a committee to oppose it and our sense is it will be a similar outcome.”     

Please join No Casinos in your opposition to expanded gambling and help end this petition before the industry has an opportunity to deceive the people.

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

UPDATE: Florida Destination Gambling Bill Essentially Dies in the House

Casino Watch Focus reported that the Mega Resort Gambling bill had taken its first step in the Senate by being voted out of a committee.  It still needed to travel farther in the Senate, but it was assumed the bill would stall in the House.  The bill must pass through both sides of the legislature on its path to become law.  If the bill fails in one chamber, it wont pass during that years legislative session.  The Florida Independent is reporting  that the bill has been pulled by the author, Rep. Fresen, in the house:

State Rep. Erik Fresen’s request at a House subcommittee meeting in Tallahassee today to temporarily postpone his bill to allow Las Vegas-style casinos in South Florida essentially killed the bill for the 2012 legislative session.

After 90 minutes of debate, Fresen said, “To the extent that I have been around this process long enough” and “having the ability to read the tea leaves and recognize where this bill is headed in this committee … I would in a very friendly manner ask through chair Holder to temporarily postpone this bill as we continue to workshop it.”

State Rep. Doug Holder, R-Sarasota, responded, “Before we make that decision Rep. Fresen I want to be really clear this is the last time that this subcommittee will meet” during the 2012 session, adding,”in other words, there will be no opportunity to hear this bill before the 2013 session convenes.”

 Rep. Fresen pulled the bill.  One small possibility does exist to  bring the bill back up in the 2012 legislative session.  The Miami Herald explains the possibility:

After a lengthy debate, the House Business and Consumer Affairs and subcommittee stopped short of killing the bill to bring three so-called destination resorts to Florida but, by failing to take a final vote on the measure, left it on life support.

After working for weeks to muster the votes on the 15-member committee, Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, couldn’t get a majority. He asked the committee to postpone a vote, leaving it in indefinite limbo under House rules. The only opportunity to revive it is if the House takes up a similar Senate bill.

The Senate bill has stalled, as they were waiting to see how the House would react.  It seems very unlikely that they will waste the time to try to push their version of the bill through, now knowing that the house version couldn’t even make it out of a committee.

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

UPDATE: Florida Destination Gambling Bill Takes First Step, Has a Long Path Ahead

Casino Watch Focus reported that the Florida Gambling Bill had faced enough obstacles and opposition, that the bill’s author, Senator Bogdanoff, made an incredible amount of revisions and gambling expansions, in an attempt to bring as many people on board as possible. As originally expected, the Florida Senate was the likely starting ground for the bill to take hold.  The Sunshine State news is reporting that he bill has passed the first step, a small Senate committee, but it still has a long way to go:

A proposal to create a statewide gaming commission and allow voters to approve up to three mega casinos cleared its first hurdle Monday in the Florida Senate.  However, the odds appear to have grown longer against the success of the bill. The Senate Regulated Industries Committee voted 7-3 on Monday in support of the Destination Gaming bill.

In voting against the bill, SB 710, Sen. Charles Dean, R-Inverness, said the bill reaches “too far” and “too fast” in expanding gaming in Florida.  Sen. Thad Altman, R-Melbourne, added that the bill doesn’t fit with the image many have of Florida.

“This doesn’t fit into our scheme of what we want to be and what we want to represent as a family friend destination,” Altman said.

The Sunshine State news goes on to explain that the next step is for the bill to go before the Rules Committee and that might take extra political pressure.  The silence of the House on the issue will also play a major role:

Sen. John Thrasher, R-Jacksonville, called the bill too vague for an unelected gaming commission to interpret and would create an expansion of gaming across the state.

Thrasher’s objection, which wasn’t unexpected, places a potential barrier for the bill reaching the Senate floor.

He added after the meeting that he currently has no plan — unless Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, asks — to put the bill before his Rules Committee.

The bill must go before the Rules Committee if it clears its next stop before the Senate Budget Committee.

“We haven’t had the first indication from the House if they have any interest in this bill yet,” Thrasher said.  “So I have a feeling this bill will slow down dramatically until we see some movement, if any, from the House.”

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

UPDATE: Florida Gambling Bill’s Fierce Opposition Causes 170 Page Rewrite by Senator Bogdanoff

Casino Watch Focus reported that the Coalition to oppose the Florida destination casinos bill had grown to an impressive level when top Florida Cabinet members Bondi, Putnam, and Atwater joined the fray.  Now that the short, 60-day legislative session has begun, the clock is ticking on the bill’s supporter, Senator Bogdanoff, to get the votes necessary to pass the legislation.  The Tampa Bay Times is reporting that the uphill battle has caused Senator Bogdanoff to rewrite the bill in a desperate hope to get support:

Senate sponsor Ellyn Bogdanoff last week released a 170-page rewrite of the bill to help take pressure off reluctant lawmakers by including a requirement that any county — including Miami Dade or Broward — that wants to attract one of three mega resorts must first get voter approval.

To win over supporters of the existing pari-mutuels, the revised bill allows them to operate Las Vegas-style games and receive a lowered tax rate if they compete directly with the new casinos. And across the state, any struggling horse and dog tracks and jai alai frontons would be allowed to ask voters to let them install slot machines.

The bill also attempts to win over gaming opponents. Bogdanoff, a Fort Lauderdale Republican, and House sponsor, Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, would ban new pari-mutuel permits, regulate or close internet cafes and set up a strict new regulatory structure. The state would create a new “Department of Gaming Control” to administer and license the casino resorts and regulate the pari-mutuels and card rooms.

The bill has the effect of expanding gambling even more under the guise of allowing public choice.  The best chance for the bill to gain early traction appears to be in the Senate.  The Tampa Bay Times explains:

There is no guarantee these changes will assuage critics when the bill comes up for its first vote in the Senate. But the bigger test is in the House, where a conservative Republican majority and a presiding officer, whose home territory includes Disney World in Orlando, are reluctant to open the door to anything that could harm the state’s family-friendly tourism image. One thing is certain about the looming legislative debate over gambling: It will be an epic battle in Tallahassee.

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

Top Florida Cabinet Members Join in Opposition of Proposed Destination-Casinos

Casino Watch Focus reported that a diverse group of individuals and groups were standing strong in their opposition to the Destination Casinos bill introduced by  Senator Ellyn Bogandoff.  The more mainstream groups that oppose expanded gambling include Disney, The Florida Chamber of Commerce, The Florida Hotel and Lodging Association, and The Florida Attractions Association.

Joining them is a coalition anti-gambling groups such as the No Casino, the Florida Baptist Convention, the Florida Catholic Conference, Florida Casino Watch and Florida Family Action.  The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling not only provided the statistics for current gambling issues, but they also went as far as to say that the state’s policymakers shouldn’t expand  gambling until it gets its house in order.  If that collective opposition wasn’t representative enough of those in Florida, now all three of the Florida Cabinet members have come out against these Vegas-style destination casinos.  The Palm Beach Post reports:

Attorney General Pam Bondi and Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam joined forces Thursday with a coalition of law enforcement officers, social conservatives and business lobbyists determined to kill a proposal to allow three more casinos in Florida.

The pair are the state’s highest-ranking GOP officials to publicly oppose the “destination resorts” bill now working its way through the state legislature. A spokeswoman for Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, the third member of the Florida Cabinet and also a Republican, said later that he opposes the measure, too.

That leaves Gov. Rick Scott as the only executive wild card. Scott has not taken a firm stance on the measures (SB 710, HB 487), although he has repeatedly said he does not want the state to become dependent on revenues generated by the casinos. He also has said he doesn’t want a casino going into a county unless voters there approve first.

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

Florida Gambling Council Points to Dangers of Expanded Gambling

Casino Watch Focus has been reporting on the ongoing gambling expansion debate that has consumed the Florida political and financial landscape.  As lawmakers continue to focus on the politics and financial gains or pitfalls, the Florida Gambling Council is providing prospective on the real danger to Florida families.  An online source explains:

Throwing some cold water on casino fever, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling says the state isn’t addressing the addiction problems it has now.

“It is not responsible policymaking to even consider expansion without taking steps to mitigate the current issues,” FCCG executive director Pat Fowler told Sunshine State News.

Fowler said the state needs to get its own house in order first.

“We already have a quarter-million people with [gambling-addiction] problems. But the state has decided not to do anything to mitigate that problem,” she said.

The Council has been vocal about the lack of resources they have been given to combat Florida’s gambling related problems.  This year alone the Council “received just $264,000 for the current fiscal year — barely a third of the compulsive-gambling fees paid to the state by Broward and Miami-Dade slot operators.” The gambling related problems in Florida have been getting worse.  The Sunshine State News reports the Councils findings:

Meantime, FCCG painted a grim picture of gambling-related problems already extant in Florida:

According to problems reported by HelpLine callers in the past year:

Crime: 35 percent reported they resorted to committing illegal acts to finance their gambling.

Unemployed/Public Assistance: 25 percent reported they were unemployed and/or collecting state assistance.

Suicide: Those reporting having suicidal ideation or attempts rose significantly from 11 percent to 16 percent of callers.

Primary Gambling Problem: The most frequently cited primary gambling problem was slots, 46 percent; cards, 33 percent; and lottery, 11 percent.   

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

Anti-Gambling Groups Ask to Join Florida Supreme Court Case

Casino Watch Focus reported that the appellate court decision that lead to the new “destination casinos” debate had been appealed to the Supreme Court.  The case has incredible implications toward the future of gambling expansion.  As such, other groups are looking to join the legal side making the appeal.  The Orlando Sentinel explains:

No Casinos has asked the Supreme Court to allow the anti-gambling group to join a case over whether Hialeah Racetrack can have slot machines, by filing briefs in support of Calder Race Course.

The Orland-based group was joined by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and the Florida Attractions Association. None of the four groups had sought to intervene when the case was heard by a Tallahassee circuit judge or the 1st District Court of Appeals, so the justices will have to give them permission to intervene now.

Calder, supported by other South Florida pari-mutuels, is contesting a 1st DCA ruling that allows slots at Hialeah Racetrack and permits the Legislature to expand gambling instead of requiring voters to approve all gambling expansion projects.

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

UPDATE: Gambling-Expanding Slot Case is being appealed to the Florida Supreme Court

Casino Watch Focus reported that  an appellate court upheld a ruling that would allow the Florida legislature to expand gambling in the state without a vote of the people. Given the case involved the constitutionality of legislation to expand gambling, it has been assumed that an appeal to the Supreme Court would be filed. Now, The Associated Press is confirming those assumptions:

An appellate court decision that said the Legislature can approve slot machines anywhere in the state is being appealed to the Florida Supreme Court.

If allowed to stand, that ruling would allow lawmakers to permit destination casino resorts in Florida. Bills have been filed for the 2012 legislative session, which starts Jan. 10, to license three such resorts in South Florida.

The casino legislation is being opposed by some on moral grounds as well as competing interests. Tourism-related businesses such as Walt Disney World also are lining up against casinos because of the fear they’ll tarnish Florida’s family-friendly image.

This appeal is simply the first step.  The Florida Supreme Court must first decide to hear the case.  It is believed that given the magnitude of the case’s implications, the Court will do so and hear arguments on the case.  The Associated Press continues:

The appellate court ruled the amendment doesn’t prohibit lawmakers from approving slots at facilities other than those that meet the amendment’s criteria. If the Supreme Court takes the case, it will hear two different arguments from Hialeah’s competitors.

Flagler and Florida Gaming say the amendment allows slots only at the seven Broward and Miami-Dade pari-mutuels. That interpretation would bar the Legislature from permitting slots anywhere else including casino resorts.

Calder’s position is the amendment applies only to pari-mutuels. That view would exclude Hialeah but let lawmakers authorize slots at casino resorts because they are not pari-mutuels.

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH, & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

A diverse mix of Groups Oppose Full-Scale Vegas-Style Gambling in Florida

Casino Watch focus reported that a bill has been introduced in the Florida legislature to expand gambling by allowing mega Vegas-style destination casinos. Key groups immediately came out against this possible gambling expansion including The Florida Chamber of Commerce, Disney and The Florida Hotel and Lodging Association to name a few.  Now, The Miami Herald is reporting that another key group is coming out against gambling expansion:

The board of the association of tourist attractions and parks today announced it will oppose the “destination resorts” casino bill if it moves through the Legislature.

The Florida Attractions Association, which represents public and private tourist sites throughout the state (from the Monkey Jungle and the Miami Science Museum to Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo), warned that the experience of other states is troubling.

“Less fortunate destinations around the U.S. have sought to increase their market share of tourism by adding casino gambling to their states,” the association said in a press release. “The results have been less than stellar. Promises of economic boom and employment gains are not sustained, and casino gambling has become passé with their proliferation and the passage of time.”

As the economic and tourist driven groups are making their presence known, so are a coalition of religious and other anti-gambling groups.  The St. Augustine Record explains:

A coalition of religious and anti-gambling groups said Tuesday they are launching an aggressive lobbying campaign to convince the Legislature to reject a plan to allow massive luxury casinos in two South Florida counties.

These predominantly religious groups join a growing list of opponents to identical bills (HB 487, SB 710) that permit Las Vegas-style “destination resort” casinos and establish a new state agency to regulate gambling.

Groups such as the Florida Baptist Convention, the Florida Catholic Conference, Florida Casino Watch and Florida Family Action say they oppose any measure to expand gambling because it victimizes poor people, tempts compulsive gamblers, sullies the state’s family-friend image and could harm businesses that rely on tourists.

“We are working to make our message very clear to legislators that it is unconscionable to vote for a change that will negatively affect thousands of families in our state,” said Mark Andrews, chairman of Florida Casino Watch.

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

Florida Chamber of Commerce, Disney and others oppose casino expansion in Florida

Casino Watch Focus reported that  a recent court ruling at the appellate level in Florida is paving the way for Florida legislature to pass expanded gambling legislation without a vote from the people.  As has been reported in the past, many Las Vegas companies are hoping to bring full scale destination gambling resorts to Florida.  Now that the Vegas companies are one step closer to achieving their goal, many key groups are standing up against gambling expansion and casinos in specific. The Orland Sentinel explains:

The Florida Chamber of Commerce is among those lining up against a destination casino bill that could bring three Las Vegas-style resorts to South Florida. The Chamber, along with representatives of Walt Disney World, No Casinos, Inc., and Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings met with the Orlando Sentinel editorial board Thursday to talk about its opposition to gambling.

Wilson said that, for the past decade, he and chamber members have been trying to build Florida’s “economy of the future” by diversifying the state’s range of employers and attracting higher-paid, higher-tech jobs. All of this, he said, could be endangered by the growth of what he called ”commercial casino gambling.”

The Florida Chamber of Commerce practices what it preaches as well. As is common with gambling interests, they sent money to the Florida Chamber in hopes of gaining their support.  The Chamber went on record that they weren’t interested.  The Miami Herald explains:

Florida Chamber President Mark Wilson went to great lengths to say Thursday that his organization had refused to accept checks from gaming interests. “We’ve returned their checks. You cannot buy our support,” he told the Orlando Sentinel editorial board. “My organization is not willing for a minute to risk the future of Florida for a quick buck. … Commercial casino gambling is one of the biggest threats to the future of Florida that is on the drawing board right now.”

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH, & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

UPDATE: Washington DC Online Gambling to be delayed

Casino Watch Focus reported  that while many states were evaluating and pushing the idea of online gambling in there specific jurisdictions, Washington DC was the first to pass a bill and select a date to go live.  Their push to legalize didn’t come with out outspoken opposition and controversy.  Now, an online source is reporting that the DC Lottery is planning to delay the launch to allow for citizens’ input:

Opponents of a new online casino site in Washington D.C. were pleased on Monday when the D.C. Lottery announced that it would be delaying the launch of the online casino. The delay, according to city council members, is for time to gain public input on the controversial issue.

“It could be October, it could be November, it could be next year,” said council member Jack Evans, in response to when the online casino will finally be launched. Other council members believed that later this year was the more probable date for the start of regulated online gambling in the city.

The DC Lottery is planning to hold a series of forums for people on both side of the issue to voice their opinion and learn about the proposed online site.  Its unclear if they are simply stalling in hopes of a Federal online gambling bill to pass, or if they are actually wanting to gather feedback from the people.

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH, & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

Florida Destination Gambling bill makes a last ditch effort in the Senate, but stalls in the House

Casino Watch Focus reported that two Florida State Senators, Dennis Jones and Maria Sachs, filed legislation to allow five destination casinos throughout the state.  The bill was immediately opposed by the pari-mutual industry and the Seminole Tribe was quick to point out that if the bill passed, they would no longer be obligated to pay the state $250 million a year for five years.  After some intense political pressure and a key amendment, the Senators pulled the bill.  Now, The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that a new last ditch effort is being made to push Destination Gambling:

A measure by Sen. Oscar Braynon, D-Miami Gardens, would attempt to  bring Las Vegas-style gaming to Florida in the form of huge destination  hotels like Las Vegas Sands or Wynn Resorts. The bill passed the Senate  Commerce and Tourism Committee Tuesday, but over the objections of  several committee members who said there were still many problems with  the legislation.

“I think it’s a sad day in Florida when we’ve decided that the way  we’re going to fix our economy is to expand gaming,” said state Sen.  Anitere Flores, R-Miami.  Lawmakers who supported the bill in the committee said it still  needed many changes though before it would be acceptable for a full  chamber vote.

Even if the Senate measure were to pass, a companion bill would need to clear the House.  The Orlando Sentinel points out that the leadership in the house would not be inclined to pass the pro-gambling bill:

A House companion measure effectively stalled after it was assigned to a committee that House Speaker Dean Cannon, who is anti  gaming, later disbanded, meaning its chances of becoming law are still  slim.

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH, & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

UPDATE: Florida Destination Gambling Bill Dies After Intense Political Pressure and a Key Amendment

Casino Watch Focus reported that two Florida State Senators, Dennis Jones and Maria Sachs, filed legislation to allow five destination casinos throughout the state.  The bill was immediately opposed by the pari-mutual industry and the Seminole Tribe was quick to point out that if the bill passed, they would no longer be obligated to pay the state $250 million a year for five years.  Now The Palm Beach Post News is reporting that political pressure and a key amendment has killed the bill this legislative session:

State Sen. Dennis Jones, R-Seminole, who has spearheaded the Senate’s gaming efforts the past few years, is withdrawing a proposal to bring five “destination resorts” to the state that would have featured full casino gaming.

The decision, in the face of fierce behind-the-scenes opposition from the state’s pari-mutuel industry, likely ends the possibility of any major gambling expansion this year.

Jones’ bill died after Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, attached an amendment that would have allowed South Florida pari-mutuels to also operate as casinos – with table games and craps in addition to slot machines — with a tax rate identical to any future destination casinos.

Sen. Jones said that his intent was not to see gambling expanded at the pari-mutal level, so he pulled the bill. Even though this bill has failed, there is still time for other similar bills to get passed.  The Palm Beach Post News explained that the odds are not in the casinos favor however:

Backers of destination casinos are still holding out hope. Similar bills have been filed by state Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, and Sen. Oscar Braynon, D-North Miami Beach. But supporters acknowledge they will be a tough sell, particularly in a conservative House that has fought gaming expansion in the past.

Braynon’s bill is set for a Senate committee hearing next week, but the House measure may die in a logistical snafu. The proposal was assigned to a subcommittee that House Speaker Dean Cannon disbanded after its chair, Rep. Esteban Bovo, R-Hialeah, resigned last week to run for the Miami-Dade County Commission. Cannon, who is largely anti-gaming, would need to reassign the bill to a new committee for it to move forward.

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH, & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

UPDATE: Florida State Senators introduce Vegas Style Casino expansion bill

Casino Watch Focus reported that Las Vegas Sands Corp and Wynn Casinos pitched their idea for Vegas style casinos to the Senate Regulation Industries Committee.  Now an online source is reporting that two Florida State Senators serving in that Committee, Dennis Jones and Maria Sachs, have officially filed legislation that would create destination gambling casinos:

Dennis Jones, R-Seminole, and Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, announced the news via a release Friday. Jones is chair and Sachs is vice chair of the Senate Regulated Industries Committee, which gambling falls under.

The legislation would authorize what Jones calls one “destination resort” in each of five districts across the state. Broward and Miami-Dade counties comprise one district. Palm Beach County is part of another, along four counties that neighbor it. The casinos would require approval by local referendum, and the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the state’s pari-mutuels say they’re going to fight it.

This legislation would have an impact on the 2010 agreement between the Florida government and the Seminole Tribe.  The agreement allows the Seminole Tribe to offer blackjack and other table games in their casinos at a payoff price of about $1 billion over five years to the Florida government.  That agreement was based on the Seminoles being the only casinos allowed in the state and destination casinos would void the exclusivity of the agreement, thus costing Florida those funds.  The online article explained that the tradeoff will be a tough sell:

“If the Legislature wants to allow in new entities, it will have to decide if it’s a good tradeoff,” tribe spokesman Gary Bitner said. “Are they going to make enough to make up the assured payments from the tribe?” Until now, gambling in Florida has grown piecemeal. But getting the state, and then the public, to take the leap to full casinos could be a tough sell.

Dick Batchelor, a Democrat from Orlando who served in the Florida House of Representatives for eight years, said he and others feel such an expansion could hurt the state. “We all know it’s about money, but rather than do the right thing and set better priorities; they’re going to the vice industry, and I’m a pretty liberal guy,” he said. “The bottom line is, ‘Is it good for Florida?’ and I would suggest it’s not at all good.

“The ultimate result of this legislation will be a net loss due to the decimation of the pari-mutuel industry and lost revenue from the Seminole compact,” said [John Lockwood of Gunster law firm, who represents a number of pari-mutuel facilities in Florida].

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH, & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION