AĀ billĀ filed by state Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, and Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, to allow three Las Vegas-style gambling casinos in South Florida passed a first voteĀ (.pdf) in the state Senate Monday.
The Bogdanoff/Friesen bill would establish a department of gaming control and would amend more than two dozen statutes, and create more than 30 other statutes to regulate gaming in Florida.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that āon the heels of a successful first-round vote on the destination casino legislation, competing business groups are launching television ad attacks for and against the proposal that would bring up to three destination casinos to the state.ā
The billĀ has the support of Associated Industries of Florida, Associated Builders and Contractors, the Florida Concrete Products Association, the Florida United Business Association, the Florida Transportation Association, the Latin Builders Association, and other groups.
A new Associated Industries of Florida ad highlights job creation:
The Florida Chamber of Commerce ā which along with the Florida Attractions Association, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, and the Florida Retail Federation, opposes the casino bill ā aired this ad:
The Florida Carpenters Regional Council, the Florida Retired Workers Association and UNITE HERE Local 355 also announced their support of the casino bill last week.
