Legislator tries to block gambling cruises

Thursday, April 17, 2003 | 11:28 a.m.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Gambling cruises would be banned from leaving from Florida ports under a last-minute bill introduced by a Senate newcomer.

Sen. Mike Haridopolos, who was elected to fill a vacant seat in the Senate less than a month ago, filed a measure last week to ban the gambling cruises, which get around bans on gaming by taking patrons out into international waters to play.

Haridopolos, R-Melbourne, was allowed to file bills after the Senate's normal bill filing deadline because he joined the Senate late in the session.

The move immediately drew protest from the gambling cruise industry, which says gaming ships employ more than 4,000 people and attract lots of visitors to Florida.

Some opposition came from Haridopolos' own district, where the Canaveral Port Authority makes $5 million a year off charges to the gambling boats.

"It would be a major blow to Brevard County," said Dixie Sansom, director of government regulations and public affairs for the port authority.

Supporters say that gambling is against the law, and ships shouldn't be able to circumvent it simply by traveling a few miles offshore.

The bill has a long way to go to gain approval, with five committee assignments and just over two weeks left in the legislative session. There's no House companion measure.