Florida casino proponents seeking statewide referendum on gaming

The pro-gambling forces in Florida are planning to take their hopes for casinos in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale areas directly to the voters.

According to the Sun-Sentinel newspaper, Tallahassee lawyer and political consultant John French filed paperwork last week with the state creating a Political Action Committee called "New Jobs and Revenue for Florida" — with the purpose of holding a statewide constitutional referendum on gambling.

In order for a referendum question to be placed on the ballot, supporters must gather signatures totaling 8 percent of the turnout in the last presidential election. With turnout high in President Barack Obama's 2008 campaign, that means 676,811 signatures are required.

French would not say who is behind the pro-casino PAC, or whether its exact goal is to reprise the failed efforts by major casino groups — namely Las Vegas Sands Corp., Genting Group and Wynn Resorts Ltd. — to open Florida to full-scale casinos.

"Can't even go there yet," he told the newspaper. But the paperwork noted the PAC's purpose: "Statewide constitutional initiative, re: gaming."

According to the Sun-Sentinel, there have been three previous statewide attempts to approve casino gambling — in 1978, 1986 and 1994 — and none garnered more than 39 percent approval. Meanwhile, voters ratcheted up the bar for amendment changes in 2006, now requiring 60 percent approval instead of the previous 50 percent.

Florida currently has slot machines at horse tracks, dog tracks and jai-alai frontons in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, and poker is legal at all of the state's pari-mutuels.

The Seminole Indian Tribe operates seven casinos, including the Hard Rock Hollywood near Fort Lauderdale and the Hard Rock Tampa. There are also five Seminole branded casinos.

In February, Florida lawmakers sought to let counties decide whether or not to allow destination casinos into their regions, but the legislation never got off the ground.

Though the Florida Senate leadership backed the bill, it was dead on arrival in the Florida House. The bill was withdrawn from its first committee because it did not have the votes to move forward.