Gambling Bill Drawing Fire From Florida's Hospitality Industry

Rep. Dana Young’s proposal to open the Sunshine State up for destination casinos is drawing fire from members of the hospitality industry.

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association on Tuesday announced its opposition to the Tampa Republican’s bill, which would create a state Department of Gaming Control while paving the way for the creation of two destination casinos in South Florida. The measure also calls for a constitutional amendment that would prohibit new forms of gambling in Florida without voter approval, The Tampa Tribune reported.

“We will continue to fight this legislation, along with any other measure that seeks to expand gambling under the false pretense that it will bring additional jobs, attract more tourists, and increase Florida’s tax base,” FRLA President and CEO Carol Dover was quoted in a media release as saying. “Florida currently enjoys record number of tourists, and provides a strong ROI on tourism and hospitality dollars. We are confident legislators won’t be fooled by casino operators’ false arguments.”

The move to approve the two South Florida casinos is meant to offset a financial loss to the state should a revenue sharing agreement with the Seminole tribe go away. The state is negotiating a new compact with the tribe, which operates Tampa’s Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The existing agreement is set to expire July 31, the Tribune noted. If that deal goes south, the tribe will have 90 days to end its card gaming operations.

Young, who is the House’s Republican majority leader, filed the bill Monday, just one day for this year’s legislative session began. It is unclear at this time if the bill will be taken up this session.

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