State lawmakers approved the first vote on a highly controversial Senate bill that would allow the creation of mega-casino resort destinations in Florida that could rival the goliaths of Las Vegas.
The Senate Regulated Industries Committee approved the amended bill Monday in a 7-3 vote a day before the session officially opens.
Although, SB 710, sponsored by Fort Lauderdale State Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff, was revised, it still proposes to open 3 mega high-end casinos in the state. Revisions on the bill include banning new permits, allowing current pari-mutuels to operate Vegas-style games like blackjack and craps, and calling some to invest $100 million to improve their facilities.
The bill could mean big business for counties north of Miami-Dade and Broward, like Palm Beach County, which could compete for the private casinos. Each would have to invest $2 billion to qualify.
Supporters say casinos would attract thousands of high-rollers and tourists and create thousands of job opportunities without squashing existing businesses. But critics worry about Florida’s image as a family-oriented tourist destination.
Robert Jarvis, a law professor at Nova Southeastern, told NBC Miami that he feels the introduction of the bill was premature.
“We are doing things in such a piecemeal fashion. We should be asking the question, ’What kind of gambling do want in Florida? Do we want local gambling? Do we want gambling only on Indian reservations? Do we want destination resort casinos?’ We need to have a much bigger discussion,” he said.
Jarvis added that he thinks that lawmakers “ just might go for a blue ribbon committee to study to whole issue.”
The bill still needs to clear several other committees in Senate, then the House and then if passed, the scrutiny of Gov. Rick Scott who must sign the bill.
