A panel of economists from the Florida legislature and executive branch recently met at the Financial Impact Estimating Conference to analyze the Voter Control of Gambling amendment. Targeted for the 2018 statewide ballot, it would “ensure that Florida voters shall have the exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling,” according to the ballot summary. The panel was assessing how the constitutional amendment would impact state and local government revenue.
Participants discussed whether or not the amendment would be retroactive, considering if it would prevent expanded gambling after it’s approved, or if it would eliminate certain games currently offered in Florida. The state earns $150-$200 million annually from slot machines.
Amy Baker, chief economist for the Florida legislature, said, “It doesn’t leap out at me that this is retroactive. I’m trying to see the signal that it is.”
John Sowinski, chairman of Voters In Charge, the group sponsoring the initiative, said the amendment looked forward and back. He said he was against gambling operators introducing new games before the amendment would take effect. “We didn’t want some things set out to beat the clock,” Sowinski said. However, he added he wants to “preserve the status quo as much as possible. Sowinski said he would consult with his attorneys and report back.
The amendment could be affected by a case before the Florida Supreme Court, which could determine if slots are permissible outside South Florida if they’re approved by county voters.
