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Gaming Advocates Lay Down Cards

FLORIDA – As reported by the Miami Herald: "With casinos coming ashore at competing destinations on the Gulf Coast and vacationers eager to try their luck, South Florida should add gambling to its list of tourist attractions, a panel said Tuesday.

"The discussion at a gambling trade show in Miami centered on the region's potential to become a magnet for gamblers and the danger of losing its competitive edge to other locales with full-fledged casinos.

"…With baby-boomers poised to retire and join the leisure set and gaming enjoying such popularity it ranks above golf as a diversion, Florida would be foolish to turn its back on casinos, the panel argued.

"The gambling issue has roiled the Sunshine State for decades. Casino interests promise major tax windfalls, but opponents warn of severe social costs and a dent in Florida's image as a family vacation spot.

"…Florida voters last year approved referendums in Broward and Miami-Dade over adding slot machines to race tracks and jai-alai frontons. Miami-Dade said no and Broward said yes. But the tracks are still waiting for state lawmakers to pass the regulations needed to install the machines.

"Though gambling already exists in Florida -- aboard offshore gambling boats and at Indian-tribe slot parlors, including Hollywood's Hard Rock -- the gaming industry has failed so far to bring in full-scale casinos…"

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