Top Republicans against efforts to expand gaming in Florida

Friday, December 9, 2011  

Attorney General Pam Bondi and Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam came out against efforts to expand non-Indian gaming in Florida.

Bondi and Putnam cited promises made to the Seminole Tribe at a press conference yesterday. The tribe signed its Class III gaming compact only a year ago.

“We were told that giving Seminoles exclusive rights to casino gambling would be so lucrative there would be no need in Florida for an expansion of gambling," Bondi said, Sunshine State News reported. "Yet here we are, only a short time later, being asked to go along with yet another massive expansion.”

Bondi and Putnam are the highest-ranking Republicans in the state to oppose a bill that has drawn criticism from some GOP lawmakers. That leaves Gov. Rick Scott (R) as the only unknown in the debate.

Get the Story:
Bondi, Putnam Join No Casinos Opposition to Gaming Bill (Sunishine State News 12/8)
Florida's all-GOP Cabinet lines up against casino bill (Palm Beach Post 12/9)

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Editorial: Expansion of non-Indian gaming won't help Florida (11/21)
Opinion: Supporters of expanded gaming trying to play Florida (11/28)
Editorial: Expansion of non-Indian gaming won't help Florida (11/21)
Bill extends exclusivity for Seminole Tribe's gaming operation (11/16)
Editorial: Reject expansion of non-Indian gaming in Florida (11/14)
Seminole chairman slams comments about gaming compact (11/11)