"There’s a huge boon to the state economy at our disposal, and all we have to do is say “yes” to legalized casino gambling in Florida.

According to the American Gaming Association (2010 figures), the national revenue from the commercial gaming industry in America is presently more than $34 billion a year, from which $13 billion has been paid in wages and benefits, and another $5.8 billion paid in taxes.

That doesn’t include the flood of spin-off benefits that cascade into the economy in the form of construction, transportation and thousands of jobs, such as restaurants, hotels, retailers, tourism, airports and rental cars. Even the local dry cleaners can profit.

In all, the gross economic benefits, direct and indirect, from the casino gaming industry to the national economy is closer to $100 billion."

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Marshall Frank: Legalize casino gambling (Florida Today 8/13)