The seven race tracks and jai-alai frontons that would be allowed to install slots if voters agree have
planned their second job fair for today, saying they are seeking applicants for 18,000 new jobs. The
critics say the jobs are far from guaranteed and that job-seekers are being exploited in hopes of
winning votes.
The prospect of new jobs, with an average salary of more than $39,000, has become a key facet of the
campaign to persuade voters in Broward and Miami-Dade counties to expand gambling. The industry
argues half the jobs would be at the casinos and the other half would be created in other businesses
through a boost to the local economy.
"They'll promise whatever it takes to win because all that stands between them and billions of dollars
in profits is people voting yes," said Paul Seago, a leader of No Casinos.
Referendum supporters insist the job fairs are real and that their projections are based on economic
analyses of gambling elsewhere in the country. At the same time, they acknowledge they are
encouraging people who attend the job fairs to vote yes.
"It's an excellent way to reach out to people who see it as a benefit," said Stacey Brenan,
spokeswoman for the pro-gambling Yes for Better Schools and Jobs. "There are thousands of people
who need jobs."
If voters approve the referendum, the seven pari-mutuel sites could begin to install thousands of slot
machines as early as this summer. The state Legislature, though, has not decided how the gambling
would be regulated, what the tax rate would be or how the tax revenue would be directed to education,
as promised.
The job fair will take place today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the
Pompano Park Harness Track.
According to the gambling industry's economic studies, 4,646 full- and part-time jobs would be created
at Broward's pari-mutuel sites and there would be 5,533 new jobs at Miami-Dade's in the first full year
of operation. The average salary of the jobs at the tracks and those indirectly created would be
$41,650 in Broward and $36,200 in Miami-Dade, the studies say.
The analysis argues the new employment represents a major economic boost because about 44,000
jobs are created in the two counties in an average year. The studies were conducted by Miami-based
economic consultant Robert Cruz and Innovation Group, a casino consulting firm out of New Orleans.
Slot foes argue the figures are based on many assumptions, including that the tax rate will not be
higher than the national average and that people will wager $10 billion a year. Each site also would
have to be larger than the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Broward Mayor Kristin Jacobs sees the promised number of jobs and level of wages as unrealistic,
considering most of the jobs are in the service industry. Seago agrees, citing gambling industry articles
that report the average salary for casino jobs is $27,000 to $29,000.
"This is Eploitation 101," Jacobs said. "They exploit children to sell their initiative. They exploit
workers to sell their initiative. To what level will they sink?"
While the debate rages, Stephanie Kraft, the chairwoman of Broward's School Board, is trying to
persuade the gambling industry to return to the negotiating table to work out a deal guaranteeing
money to local schools. Kraft has opposed the referendum, but said she will offer an endorsement in
exchange for an annual contract worth $75 per student. Negotiations fell through earlier, but an
industry representative met with her Wednesday and promised to take the suggestion back to his
colleagues.