Florida gaming industry holds sway

31 March 2009

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- As reported by The Miami Herald: "No legislator is immune when it comes to the influence of the gambling industry in Florida.

"All 160 members of the Florida Legislature have either accepted a campaign check from the industry or benefited from its contributions to their parties. In the 2006-08 election cycle alone, horse and dog tracks, jai alai frontons and the Seminole Indian Tribe gave nearly $5 million to legislators and political parties -- more than double the $2.2 million gambling interests contributed to lawmakers in the previous election.

"Some legislators have worked closely with the industry or have allies who do. And in every corner of the state, ailing parimutuels are promising something lawmakers are hungry for in this perilous economy: new jobs -- if legislators give them new games.

"...In the coming weeks, lawmakers will decide between two very different proposals to change the face of gambling at Florida's tracks, frontons and Indian casinos, a decision potentially worth millions of dollars.

"The House proposal would force the Seminoles -- current kings of the gambling scene in Florida -- to scale back the gambling they won under an agreement signed in 2007 by Gov. Charlie Crist. They would have to get rid of their blackjack tables but they would be allowed to keep their slot machines.

"The Senate plan, sponsored by Jones, would allow the Seminoles full casinos at seven locations, allowing them to expand their current offerings of slot machines and blackjack to include roulette, craps and unlimited poker pots. Every parimutuel in the state would be allowed to offer new forms of gambling..."