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It appears that the Florida Senate has renewed efforts to build large casino resorts in the Sunshine state. Less than a week after Sen. Dennis Jones pulled a nearly identical bill saying that pari-mutuels were trying to take advantage of the situation, Sen. Oscar Braynon introduced and passed a similar bill that would resolves most of the differences between new developers and existing pari-mutuels by taxing both types of gaming venues at the same rate and allowing for the expansion of pari-mutuels.
Florida is currently dealing with major budget deficits and if they do not find a way to supplement the states revenues they will be forced to make even more cuts to education, health care and state worker pensions. If the bill were to pass it would not only provide the state with millions of dollars in tax revenue but would create an estimated 100,000 jobs
The bill would break the states compact with Seminole Tribes which could cause significant legal problems down the line but its estimated that the revenue from just one of the massive resorts would make up for the Seminole Tribe taxes.
Despite passing by a narrow vote the bill still faces its share of challenges. Gov. Rick Scott and House Speaker Dean Cannon have both shown opposition to gambling expansion and a recent poll from Viewpoint Florida shows that an estimated 47% of Florida residents are against building more casinos.
As always, stay tuned to Casinofan for more news and updates.
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