Editorial: Let Florida voters decide on full casinos

Wednesday, September 2, 2009  

"The Florida Legislature should permit full Las Vegas-style casinos in any county where voters approve them.

We’re already halfway there.

The new gambling pact between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, if approved by lawmakers, puts the state in business with the seven casinos already flourishing on tribal lands. The tribe gets to keep Vegas-style casino gambling and the state gets a $150 million annual cut.

But the the Seminoles also get exclusive rights to operate slot machines — the real money churners — outside Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

We’re in favor of giving Indians full freedom to develop gambling, but it’s unfair to deny racetracks that same freedom.

If fact, blanket restrictions on casino gambling make little sense anymore."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Let voters OK full casinos (The Fort Myers News-Press 9/2)