Citing problems in Atlantic City, Florida newspaper warns against expanding a Class III gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe:
Three big casinos closed down in September, including the $2.4 billion Revel Casino Resort -- only two years old. The Trump Taj Majal expects a similar fate before the end of the year. Another one closed previously this year. The casualties in this? More than 10,000 employees will end up jobless. That's a lesson Florida should focus on. After four straight years of new records for tourism, the Sunshine State shouldn't gamble with casinos. Documents obtained by the Associated Press after four months of delay by the governor's office show his administration was agreeable to allowing the tribe to add roulette and craps at its South Florida casinos and build a new one around Fort Pierce. The tribal casinos enjoy a virtual monopoly on slot machine outside South Florida, with the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa a major destination here. Former Gov. Charlie Crist and the Legislative approved the 2010 compact, which also allowed blackjack at most tribal casinos. Scott's office has postponed further negotiations until after the November election, a prudent decision given strong legislative opposition.Get the Story: