Could we be seeing a two decade moratorium on any form of gambling expansion in the state of Florida? Sponsors of bill PCB TGC-18-01, certainly hope so. The bill, which has already been approved by the Florida House Tourism and Gaming Control Subcommittee, is the revival of a very similar bill that was passed last year.
PCB TGC 18-01 essentially prevents the expansion of gambling in the state for at least 20 years, freezes casino expansion in South Florida and shuts down certain card games. It will also secure that the Seminole Tribe has a secure monopoly over the gambling industry in the state.
Most controversially, the bill would outlaw what is termed designated player games found most in Florida poker rooms. The game, which is considered a merger between poker and blackjack, calls for the bank to revolve among players.
“It would probably box up all gaming and gambling in the state of Florida for 20 years,” commented Rep. Michael LaRosa, the chairman of the House Tourism and Gaming Control Subcommittee, where the bill passed 9-6 on Tuesday.
PCB TGB 18-01 will direct Governor Rick Scott to renew the state’s existing compact with the Seminole tribe “It would probably box up all gaming and gambling in the state of Florida for 20 years,” said Rep. Michael LaRosa, which currently runs Hard Rock Casinos near Tampa and Hollywood, and another four gaming establishments throughout the state.
If the bill is signed into law, the Seminole tribe will need to guarantee that it increases its contribution of revenues to the state from the current $250 million each year to at least $325 million. In exchange, the state will promise the tribe a monopoly over blackjack games in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The tribe will also receive exclusive operational rights of slot machines at all its casinos outside of South Florida.
One of the changes seen in the new bill, compared to last year’s similar attempts to pass it, is that the majority of the revenues that come from the Seminoles will be earmarked for education programs such as charter schools, and the training of teachers from kindergarten to higher education levels.
For gambling proponents, the good news is that there are many obstacles in the way of the proposed bill. There are many points of contention between the chambers regarding slot machines, racetracks and casinos. Approving this controversial new bill would be throwing even more trouble into the mix. The anti-gaming group, No Casinos has thrown all its weight behind the bill.
