Forty-three percent of Floridians believe allowing more casino gambling is the wrong direction for the state, according to a poll recently released by the College of Arts & Sciences of the University of South Florida. Only 29 percent said more casino gambling is the right direction for Florida and 27 percent had no opinion. The survey indicated both men and women of all ages oppose more casino gambling.
“This survey proves what we have said repeatedly, that the only constituency that believes more gambling is better for Florida are casino owners,” said John Sowinski, president of No Casinos.
However, casinos operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, including Hard Rock and Coconut Creek properties, contributed $234 million in tax revenue to the state in the past year, and the state’s eight racinos generated a record $174 million in tax revenue from slots for the fiscal year ending in June, up from $152.5 million the previous year. Since slots were allowed in 2005 in Broward and in 2009 in Miami-Dade, racinos have produced more than $1 billion in tax revenue.
The Isle Casino in Pompano Beach, Mardi Gras Casino (formerly Hollywood Dog Track) and Gulfstream Park Casino in Hallandale Beach all have performed well.
But Dania Jai Alai, after being sold twice, recently closed for at least a year, only eight months after introducing slots. Nearly 300 people lost their jobs. Jai-alai matches will continue to be played through the end of the year.
Dania’s owners, a consortium headed by South American casino operators, said the fronton and casino will be refurbished, and they plan to build a new complex with a hotel, marina, condos and retail, but not timetable has been given.
