Florida lawmakers are now looking at ways that they can expand the state’s gambling venues to bring in some needed revenue. They are hoping that they can find ways to lure residents of neighboring states such as Alabama and Georgia to come and wager in Florida. They are considering ways to bring gambling to some of the already well-known spots inside of Florida such as Daytona Beach and Palm Beach.
The idea of expanding its gambling locations is getting support from a variety of lawmakers and others. In exchange for these new locations, gaming promoters and willing to help close some of the loopholes that the state has seen an increase in during the last several years.
To get it started, hearings are being scheduled by the Florida Senate Gaming Committee. These will take place in Pensacola, Jacksonville, Lakeland and in Coconut Creek. They will listen to the public, and from there, lawmakers may attempt rewrite of the Florida gambling laws.
Already the state’s Legislative leaders have agreed and signed a $400,000 contract. This contract is with Spectrum Gaming Group of New Jersey. It will assess any economic impact that bringing in new locations will have on existing gambling locations. The report will also offer a variety of regulatory options that lawmakers may want to use when they draft the plan. There are ten options being looked at by Spectrum, but just only one will not expand Florida gambling. Some of the other options include allowing two destination resorts to be placed in South Florida and options that limit expansion in certain parts of the state.
It should be noted that in 2015, the state’s provisions and agreements with the Seminole Tribe of Florida will end. This will require that the state renew its current compact or that the state set up new rules that would allow the tribe to continue to operate table games exclusively. This is in exchange for providing a portion of its revenue to the state.
It appears that many of the state’s lawmakers are now ready to look at new ideas. This was not always the case. Many believe that as more citizens of the state come to accept casino gaming as a good thing, newer changes to the law will be easier to get through the legislature. And that the time for making these changes in now.
Many of those who support the expansion say they are tired of seeing Florida residents go into neighboring states to play, taking that revenue with them as they go. They want to see that money stay in the state, which only makes sense.
However, not all lawmakers support the new ideas. The Senate President Don Gaetz as well as the House Speaker Will Weatherford are not supporting the new expanded gambling options. Other lawmakers are not sure if they will support or not, but the general consensus is if new bills are brought to the floor for a vote that expand gambling, those bills will pass. No word from the governor’s office on this.