Legislator proposes casinos in Florida

David Royse

Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002 | 9:38 a.m.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Could blackjack, roulette and slot machines be a jackpot for Florida's schools and health care?

With tax receipts dwindling as the economy slides, a state lawmaker is proposing legalizing casino gambling to raise money for education, social services and programs for the elderly.

Rep. Roger Wishner, D-Sunrise, wants to put the question on the ballot in November, and if it passes, he envisions a casino building boom from Miami to Tampa to Jacksonville that would put people to work.

"Billions of dollars could be generated through this," Wishner said. "This could be an immediate shot in the arm."

Wishner probably has an uphill battle.

Gov. Jeb Bush opposes any expansion of gambling in Florida beyond the options Floridians already have, such as the lottery, casinos on Indian reservations and gambling cruise boats.

And while Bush's signature wouldn't be needed to get the gambling measure on the ballot, Floridians haven't been very friendly toward the question in the past.

Casino proponents have gotten a constitutional amendment on the ballot three times in the last 25 years only to be defeated resoundingly on Election Day each time.

But Wishner argues that because of the economy, it's different now, with lawmakers facing the prospect of a second very tight year in which budget cuts might be needed in some state agencies.

His bill (HB 1555), filed Wednesday, hasn't been sent to any committees yet. Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami, plans to file similar legislation in the Senate, Wishner said.

The proposed amendment would allow casino gambling in any county with more than 1 million people, but only in cities that have hotels with 500 or more rooms.

Wishner said there aren't many of those -- but casino developers will build the hotels, he said, stimulating the economy.

John Sowinski, spokesman for Orlando-based No Casinos Inc., said the people have spoken on the question in 1978, 1986 and 1994 -- and will oppose this effort too.

"Gambling proponents have tried to seduce the people of Florida with the idea that it would generate revenue," Sowinski said. "For every dollar it generates there's $3 to $10 in public cost for the social cost."

Gambling bills sometimes draw the opposition of dog and horse tracks, but Wishner is trying to appease them by allowing casinos at the tracks.

In addition to putting it to a statewide vote, each county that wants casinos would have to get voters' approval.

There's already a bill moving through the Legislature to allow racetracks and jai alai frontons to set up video slot machines, but Wishner's measure would go further, allowing full casino gambling.

There's also a similar proposal for video slots at tracks and frontons that a citizens' group is trying to get on the ballot in November. That measure is under review by the state Supreme Court for scope and clarity.