Florida Political Efforts Pick Up Steam Over Expanded Gambling
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The churning of gambling-related activity in Florida picked up intensity this week as news broke that tens of millions of dollars are flowing into political efforts to expand gaming in the Sunshine State.
Early in the week it came out that and each ponied up $10 million for a political action committee that would derail some portions of a plan hatched between Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe for . The compact is awaiting federal approval.
Later in the week came news of Las Vegas Sands contributing $17 million to an effort to bring more casino gambling to Florida — with Jacksonville’s mayor welcoming the idea.
All of the recent efforts revolve around referendums and that means getting petitions signed just to get these gambling-related questions on the 2022 ballot. Assuming that happens, the real money-spend will get started as referendum advocates and opponents flood media with arguments to sway voters one way or the other about expanding .
A recent gambling offensive comes courtesy of Las Vegas Sands (whose name is ironic in that it’s divesting itself of its signature Las Vegas properties) who is contributing $17 million to “Florida Voters In Charge,” a political committee that has drafted two proposed constitutional amendments allowing for casino gambling in the northern part of Florida.
- Businesses with cardroom licenses (reportedly as many as three) would be permitted to operate casinos as long as they are130 miles away from Tribal facilities.
- Three new casinos would be permitted, with a bidding process, with the provision that they be at least 100 miles from a Tribal facility.
