Voter Control of Gambling in Florida announced it recently submitted more than 725,000 valid signatures to the state attorney general’s office. The group must collect 766,200 by February 1to place on the November ballot a constitutional amendment giving voters future control of gambling expansion in the state. In addition, a required number of signatures must be collected in 14 of the state’s congressional districts So far the group has reached the goal in at least a dozen districts, according to the Florida Division of Elections.
The amendment gives voters the “exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling” in Florida. Any new commercial casinos or expanded games at existing venues would be subject to statewide referendum.
If the issue does appear on the ballot, at least 60 percent of voters must approve it.
Voters in Charge, backers of the proposal, has spent nearly $5 million on the ballot initiative, with most of the money coming from Disney Worldwide and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Both oppose expanded commercial gaming: Disney because it sees casino resorts in South Florida as serious threats to family tourism in Orlando; and the Seminoles because it would compete with its existing casinos authorized by the tribal-state compact.
Meanwhile, Florida state Rep. Ramon Alexander recently filed HB 111, which would approve a referendum on allowing slot machines in rural Gadsden County, population 46,000. The bill points out the area’s “economic development challenges,” noting, “Gadsden County is uniquely positioned in North Florida to take advantage of slot machine gaming and development in and around the interstate exit located within the city of Gretna near the parimutuel quarter horse facility.”
Voters in the city of Gretna in Gadsden County approved slots in a 2012 referendum but in May the state Supreme Court ruled against allowing the games. In a 20-page decision, the justices stated despite the referendum, installing slots would go against state law.
Republican House members have said they oppose expanding gambling in the Florida. The Seminole Tribe of Florida also has threatened to legally withhold millions of dollars per month in revenue funds to the state if the exclusivity agreement in its compact is breached.
The Seminoles actively protect their gambling interests. Most recently, last month the tribe filed a lawsuit against 11 Jacksonville internet cafes and 15 individuals for operating slot and video machines. The tribe also has announced opposition to legislation that would legalize daily fantasy sports in Florida.
