More Gambling Could Be Coming To Jax
State Legislature Mulls Over Gambling Expansion In Florida
Copyright 2010 by News4Jax.com.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Endless rows of slot machines, card tables and money-making gambling could soon be coming to the River City.
The state Legislature is mulling over a huge expansion of gaming and allowing it anywhere in the state.
"The House of Representatives hasn't really been all that excited about opening up gambling," said Mike Weinstein, R-District 19.
The idea of taking handcuffs off of gaming has its opponents still trying to come to grips with what to do with Seminole Casinos and the taxation of their money.
The House struck down a deal Gov. Charlie Crist made with the tribe last year that would put roughly $800 million in state coffers. It's now looking at how to properly tax the tribe and the horse and dogs tracks around the state, including both in northeast Florida.
"We don't want the Seminole Indians to get a deal that's so good for them that the parimutuels go out of business," Weinstein said.
Proponents argue the state is giving money away, and rather than getting a small handout from the Seminole tribe, the state should take over gambling.
"We can reduce taxes or we can certainly fund a whole lot more education with $3.2 billion than we can with $800 million," said Alan Hays, R-Umatilla.
One state senator counters with a moral argument.
"I am troubled by broad expansion of gaming," he said. "I just have this vision of Jimmy Stewart walking down Main Street in 'It's a Wonderful Life' and I want to be encouraging."
Either way, legislators said gambling is coming.
"It's not really fair or appropriate for the state of Florida to be in the business big time through the lottery and then say nobody else can do it," Weinstein said.
But it may not be a great fit for the River City.
"Northeast Florida isn't a tourism mecca, and that's good for us," Weinstein said. "You don't want your economy to be really dependent on tourism because it's one of the first things to go when the economy goes bad."
Vegas Casino Operator Eying Orlando?
By Nick VinZant
© 2010, Central Florida News 13
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
ORLANDO -- Supporters of gambling in Florida are rolling the dice once again, hoping this time lawmakers will take a chance on a gambling expansion.
It doesn't have a location, a name or even a sketch on paper, but it does have a price.
Las Vegas casino owner Sheldon Anderson wants to invest $3 billion in a Florida casino.
It’s still in the developmental stages, but currently officials say the destination would include gambling operations, theaters, malls and a convention center. Developers say that’s enough to employ 7,000 people.
Where the casino will go is still a question. Miami, Tampa and Orlando are all candidates. The only stipulation is that the casino be built within 20 minutes of an international airport.
The possibility of a casino in our area does raise concerns though.
Brian Kongsvik runs an agency that tries to help those with gambling addictions. He's not for or against gambling, but he says excessive gambling is certainly a problem.
Another big problem for any possible casino is the fact that they're illegal in all but a few areas, unless state Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff changes the rules. Bogdanoff is planning on proposing a law that would allow gambling statewide. It’s a measure her office says would raise millions, but others say would cause other problems.
Any new gambling bill would take about three years to pass.