In an effort to win support and silence critics, the Senate sponsor of the bill to bring resort casinos to Florida wants to let voters approve any new gambling and allow counties outside of Miami Dade and Broward to compete for three mega-casino permits.
The changes to be unveiled Friday by state Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, will open the door to the possibility of a resort casino in Tampa Bay or Palm Beach County — provided voters approve and investors spend at least $2 billion. The revised proposal would also allow voters in counties outside Miami Dade and Broward to give slot machines to their horse and dog tracks, and jai alai frontons.
But the measure also attempts to shut the door on the loopholes that have allowed for the proliferation of gambling at Internet cafes, the expansion of pari-mutuels at the Gretna barrel racing track and summer jai alai permits. The measure bans any new pari-mutuel permits, revokes all dormant permits, regulates all Internet Cafes and prevents the opening of any new facilities.
Bogdanoff will ask the Senate Regulated Industries Committee to approve the amendment when the bill comes up for its first vote on Monday, the day before lawmakers convene for their annual 60-day legislative session. More here.
BOGIE, BOGIE, BOGIE , YOU WON T STOP TIL YOU MAKE FLORIDA ANOTHER DIRTY GAMBLING STATE .CUMO UP IN NEW YORK IS RACING TO GET GAMBLING PASSED .MA IS WANTING WYNN AND KRAFT TO BUILD A MEGA CASINO IN FOXBORO .NJ, NV, CA, AW... H..E DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS
THE UNITED STATES OF GAMBLING , EVERYBODY IN LOS WAGES IS RUNNING AROUND LOOKING FOR EMPTY BOXES FOR MOVING . THE HOMELESS CHARITIES IN LOS WAGES IS CUTTING A DEAL WITH THE BUS COMPANIES TO SHIP ALL THERE HOMELESS HERE . OH YEA , DON T FORGET ABOUT THE PRO LADIES , THE BOSSES ARE ALREADY BUYING UP THE CHEAP CONDOS AND ORDERING THE OTHER CON..DOM , MAYBE THEY WILL NAME A CUSTOM CON..DOM AFTER YOU "THE BOG DA OFF CON DOM " PUT YOUR PICTURE ON IT WHEN INFLATED !!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Tom Reynolds | January 06, 2012 at 06:52 AM
The Bill, in it's refined state, appears to be a WINNER!. All sides should be happy. It's good the the parimutuels were included, so they also have the right to table games. This will allow them to add more jobs to the area - everyone wins.
Posted by: Jane Belevinder | January 06, 2012 at 01:38 PM
The real JOBKILLERS are the ones trying to kill this bill. The guy leading the opposition Dan Gelber once proposed a million dollar a day tax on Florida businesses. He's a proven JOBKILLER
Posted by: Rich Frannzen | January 06, 2012 at 01:58 PM
Dear Florida Legislature,
Here's your chance to actually DO SOMETHING THAT WILL HELP US. A Casino resort will bring in millions of tourists and generate billions of dollars and create thousands of jobs.
s/The huddled masses yearning to be free
Posted by: RJ305 | January 06, 2012 at 02:23 PM
I agree. They are all Job Killers. Dan Gelber, Norm Braman, Mickey Arison, and the other anti job proponents. They are going to keep Florida in the dark ages - and unemployed.
Posted by: Joe Stanton | January 06, 2012 at 02:49 PM
Its about time we leveled the playing field and opened the doors to the big boys and do casino gambling right. I'm all in for support of this. Lets create jobs Miami - not negativity. This will be a positive change for us!
Posted by: Chris Keane | January 07, 2012 at 11:42 AM