A recent University of Southern Florida-College of Arts and Sciences study showed a majority of Floridians do not support expanded gambling. The report indicated 43percent oppose further expansion of gambling in the state versus 29 percent who favor it; 27 percent had no opinion. Men and women and all age groups opposed gambling expansion.
Still, the growth of gaming in the past five years, including three new properties since 2012, has pushed Florida into the top-15 state gaming markets outside of Nevada. Additionally, along with Maryland and Ohio, Florida has remained one of three regional markets showing consistent, positive year-to-year growth in each month year-to-date throughout 2014. For Florida, that dates back to April 2013, with an average LTM growth rate of 10.8 percent.
However, gaming growth of 1.5 percent year-to-year in September suggests market expansion may be slowing. Analysts said cannibalization from recent expansion is beginning to show, and the USF study also suggests capacity has reached a limit, at least for now.
