A new poll commissioned by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, in cooperation with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, indicated 62 percent of likely Florida voters support the new 30-year gaming compact recently signed by Governor Ron DeSantis and Seminole Chairman Marcellus Osceola Jr. Only 17 percent oppose the agreement. The Senate Appropriations Committee will address the compact in a special session starting May 15, with the issue going to the Senate floor the following day. Legislators are expected to approve the compact, which would generate $2.5 billion in revenue sharing dollars to the state in its first five years and $6 billion through 2030.
The poll also showed 73 percent of respondents said they were more likely to support the compact when they learned that profits generated by the Seminole Tribe are invested back into the state by creating thousands of jobs and billions more in economic impact. In addition, voters also indicated they were more likely to re-elect their state legislator if he or she votes to approve the compact, with 46 percent saying they would be more likely, 20 percent less likely and 33 percent unsure. Also, 58 percent of Floridians indicated they’re pleased with the direction of the state and 60 percent of voters said they approve of the job DeSantis is doing.
But another poll of 800 likely Florida voters, commissioned by No Casinos and executed by McLaughlin & Associates of Virginia, showed 76 percent of Floridians want the right to vote on any compact approved by lawmakers. No Casinos is the group behind Amendment 3, which 72 percent of Florida voters approved in 2018, giving Floridians “the exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling” in the state.
The survey also found that half of likely voters don’t accept the argument that mobile betting is the same as wagering on tribal property just because file servers are located there and feel this violates Amendment 3; 29 percent disagreed. And 58 percent of likely voters agreed that “this proposal is nothing more than a backroom deal put together by special interests who are using their wealth and clout to pass something that voters are supposed to have the final say in.”
No Casinos President John Sowinski stated, “Floridians spoke loud in clear in 2018 when they voted in a landslide for Amendment 3 to put gambling in Florida in the hands of Floridians instead of gambling lobbyists and politicians. This poll shows they feel as strongly about that as ever and clearly understand this new agreement violates the letter and spirit of that amendment.”
To back up the poll, No Casinos recently launched a statewide ad campaign called “People, Not Politicians,” claiming the new compact illegally expands gambling in violation of the Florida constitution. The ad says the compact lets “politicians and gambling lobbyists, instead of voters, authorize a massive expansion of gambling in Florida.”
No Casinos’ ad further states, “Their plan: Casinos. Sports betting. Even slot machines on cell phones. The only thing missing? Your approval. Voter approval of gambling is the law. Tell your legislator: Don’t break it.”
But the Seminole Indian Tribe isn’t going to let No Casinos have the last word. The tribe also released an advertisement promoting the compact’s job-creation potential against scenes of shimmering Florida coastal waters.
The announcer state, “Thousands of new jobs, tourism and the biggest financial guarantee on record—2.5 billion in the first five years.”
In a note to Senators, Senate President Wilton Simpson stated, “As you are aware, on April 23, 2021, Governor DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe of Florida executed a historic new 30-year gaming compact that restores the state’s relationship with the tribe, preserves and offers new opportunities for Florida’s legacy parimutuel industry and provides substantial new revenues for the state of Florida.”
House Speaker Chris Sprowls said he will appoint one or more select committees to take up the compact on May 17 and May 18 and send it to the House floor on May 19. Sprowls added online courses will be available for legislators to better comprehend the complex gambling issues at stake.
Upon signing the agreement, Osceola commented, “We truly believe that this is the best deal for everybody. It’s not in favor of the tribe or the state. It’s in favor of both parties because this is a long-lasting team.”
Under the deal, the tribe will serve as a hub for sports betting. In exchange, Florida parimutuels want live racing decoupled from card or slot rooms; creation of a new gaming commission; 24/7 card room and slot operations instead of 18 hours on weekdays; complimentary alcoholic beverages and ATM machines at slots; and allowing relocations but no new gaming permits, meaning a casino license will not be transferred from Republican benefactor Jeff Soffer’s Big Easy Casino in Hallandale Beach to his Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach. These are just a few of the 42 amendments proposed for four bills (HB 7053/SB 7076 & HB 7055/SB 7080).
According to House Minority Co-Leader Evan Jenne, at least20 lawmakers are firmly opposed to expanding gaming in Florida.
