Disney Wants Voters, Not Politicians, in Charge of Florida Casino Expansion

Disney Wants Voters, Not Politicians, in Charge of Florida Casino Expansion

Disney obviously does not want the Florida Legislature to make decisions on the oversight and expansion of various forms of gaming. What most voters may not understands, is that Disney's concern is not just casino gaming, but that a major developer, like Las Vegas Sands, building a major destination resort. A complete resort, that might cut into their monopoly of large conventions and trade shows, that fill mid-week rooms, with top rate business. Florida already has destination casino resorts, but the Seminole Hard Rock casinos are still waiting for the Governor and Legislature to negotiate a compact, that adds the games of Craps and Roulette, two important games that attract North American and European gamers. Allowing the voters to make the final decision on gaming questions, raises the issue of the research that individual voters will undertake, before voting for or against various proposals. Florida should look at the experience of Maine, that is facing another referendum, to approve a casino, totally underwritten by one individual; who will, if successful, immediately sell the development rights to another gaming company. As he has done previously, he is supporting the referendum, with substantial advertising dollars, and hopes to again sell the rights for $50 million or more; in spite of much Legislative and Governmental opposition to the effort.It's a question of who has the deepest pockets, when the issue is left up to the voters; and currently in Florida, absent any effort from a casino developer, that is Disney.As a fellow Floridian, I believe the Legislature and Governors office, will be better informed about an issue as misunderstood as the various forms of gaming. The Seminole Tribe operates under Federal Law, as a recognized Tribe with recognized Reservations in Florida. And the State's voters did make the decision in 2004,on whether Miami-Dade and Broward Counties could add slot machines to Licensed pari-mutuel race tracks and frontons. And Miami-Dade originally failed in the required local vote, giving Ft. Lauderdale a 2 year head start on slots machines, apart from the Seminole casinos. Florida voters should thing long and hard over whether they want the final say on multiple gaming issues, like dog racing (should tracks be allowed to eliminate or reduce live racing), Internet casinos (if allowed, what kind of tax should they pay), what gaming is allowed at State pari-mutuels (poker, slot machines), who should oversee racing, gaming and the Lottery; and what about new forms of gaming, like Sports Betting, Fantasy Sports, E-Sports and games of skill? The Legislature and the Governor are better equipped to deal with the very complicated gaming subject; and the Disney Organization should not be the organization telling the voters what to vote on; especially on an issue that has nothing to do with family entertainment.