Editorial: Turn Florida clasrooms into casinos

Thursday, March 27, 2008  

"Florida depends more and more on gambling to pay for education. Why not go all in?

Rather than wait passively for gamblers to ante up, schools actively should promote gambling. Florida's public schools should make gambling part of the core curriculum, beginning in elementary school. In later grades - through career academies, charter schools or both - students should be able to declare an academic concentration in the Gambling Arts.

"We're Hiring 3,650 Dealers," blared a large display ad in The Post this month. The Seminole Hard Rock Casino southwest of Fort Lauderdale says it needs blackjack dealers, baccarat dealers, Pai Gow Poker dealers, floor supervisors, pit managers, casino shift managers and cage managers.

In short, there are jobs to be had. Jobs are the main focus of the many career academies offered today in public schools. Students can learn construction, air-conditioning repair and carpentry, among others. They also can study agriculture. But to keep up with the times, why not start a Gambling Academy?

If gambling in Florida is for the schools, schools should be for gambling. Why not actually install slots in school cafeterias, auditoriums and classrooms? The kids could use them to study Gambling Arts during the day, and adults could visit the "classinos" at night, on the weekends and during the summer - giving education financing a boost.

Schools and casinos create a beautiful circle of mutual benefit. Schools teach kids to love gambling and the skills to work in casinos. Graduates go on to work in casinos but also become enthusiastic casino patrons, increasing gambling in Florida and pumping still more money into education."

Get the Story:
Editorial: 'Racinos'? How about 'classinos'? (The Palm Beach Post 3/27)