Florida Chamber of Commerce Opposes Gambling Expansion

Has anyone noticed that states with expanded Gambling have higher unemployment rates and larger state deficits?

Do you think there's a connection?


Casino Jobs
by Whitney Ray

The debate is underway over how many jobs would be created if lawmakers vote to expand gaming when they meet next week for the 2012 legislative session.

Construction workers, limousine drivers and restaurant owners were in Tallahassee today saying expanded gaming would create jobs. But As Whitney Ray tells us, opponents of the bill say the casinos are a jobs killer in the long run.

Inside an unemployment office in Tallahassee supporters of a bill to bring three resort casinos to South Florida told reporters gaming would create jobs. Builders say the bill could create as many as 75-thousand construction jobs and help unemployed workers get off the state’s dime.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce isn’t buying it. They agree adding resort casinos would create new jobs, but at the expense of established businesses. [A process called "Cannibalization" ]

“When you put a casino into an area like South Florida it actually takes money away from the existing businesses that are already there,” said Mark Wilson, President of the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

There are also concerns from the Chamber, religious groups and Disney that expanding gaming would hurt Florida’s family friendly image.

The situation just keeps getting more complicated. Now New York is looking expanded gaming to create jobs in the Empire State, which means if lawmakers here approve gaming, there would be competition for Florida. [Known as "The Race to the Bottom"]

The original bill lacked enough support to make it through the Senate. A new draft will greet lawmakers when they come back to Tallahassee next week for the 2012 Legislative Session. The Senate President has promised a vote in his chamber before the end of session. The bill will be a harder sell in the House.