Publicado el 01-09-2012
The Possibility of More
Casinos in South Florida
This Monday, the Regulated Industries Committee of the State Senate has begun to discuss a bill to which significant changes have been made and whose approval would allow the construction of three destination casinos in South Florida. Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff has presented changes to the original bill which would, among others, require that the voters approve or reject the new casinos with a local referendum.
Perhaps it will not be possible to finalize this project during this legislative session because this year the Legislature has to recreate the electoral districts, something done every ten years, which usually entails lengthy deliberations and discussion. However, even if nothing is decided this year, the possibility of the casinos is very present in South Florida. A powerful Malaysian company, Genting, has bought from the Miami Herald and the Omni the land that it would need for its project that includes two casinos, a hotel, fifty restaurants, stores, etc. etc.
What is important is that if the Regulated Industries Committee approves the changes made to the bill, the voters would have the last word. That is why it is necessary that beginning now something is done to make people aware of the reality behind the casinos. Yes, there will be construction jobs that will end once the buildings are ready. But it is not clear what the real costs would be for the local taxpayers by allowing such a huge project in the heart of the city in terms of police vigilance, street closings, traffic detours, etc. On the other hand, local restaurants, hotels, and stores will surely lose business and some might even have to close.
The public has to contemplate whether they are willing to pay the social costs that often come with gambling, among them addiction. This is no exaggeration; there are countless studies that confirm it. Naturally, casino promoters will try to paint a very favorable picture to convince the voters to approve the project. But it should not be assumed that gambling proliferation will be a long-term solution for South Florida’s economic problems. We have the example of Las Vegas, which is going through a worse crisis than Florida, and the casinos have been unable to improve it. That is why it is important that the media and the civic institutions use reasoned arguments about the casinos and inform the public with articles, seminars, radio and television programs so that the voters be well prepared before they vote when the time comes.
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