by Steve Norton
CEO, Norton Management

John Sowinski: Finally, a sensible gambling plan for Florida’s future - Florida Politics

My comment:

Mr. Sowinski is paid to oppose gaming, on behalf of a group that believes that the family image of Florida will be damaged by casino and other forms of gaming. Florida is a very large State, and in nearly every community the number of adult visitors far exceed those of children and persons under age 21. And a large percentage of adult visitors approve of casino gaming for the slot machines and table games, plus the other forms of entertainment provided. For Florida residents the benefits, whether you gamble or not; are jobs, taxes, construction and even more tourism.

Obviously the Senate's plan is overly ambitious, especially with $billions of revenue sharing at risk from the Seminole Tribal compact. But rather than approving slot machines at dog tracks, that no longer have an audience, except for the slots, poker and pari-mutual betting on horses. And without a racing requirement, these Greyhound tracks could most likely prosper with poker, betting on horse races and the real estate profit from selling the land under the track. And if the Miami-Dade and Broward dog tracks are allowed to keep their slots, at least raise the tax back to the original 50% rate or even higher.

And rather than add slots to dog tracks elsewhere in the State, why not place some slots in larger tourist hotels, in markets that would not compete with existing Seminole casinos. This would switch the balance of gaming players from residents to tourists.

The horse tracks are still an important part of the Florida tourism package, and should be allowed to keep their slots, although some of the slot tax revenue should be used to subsidize Tampa Bay Downs, that can't have slot machines, with the Seminole Hard Rock nearby.

And as for the Seminole compact, the FL House should ease their position and let the Tribe offer Craps and Roulette, at least at their 3 largest casinos; which could earn the State a very healthy revenue sharing agreement. But of more importance, is by adding the missing games; FL casinos would be able to compete, on equal footing, with resort casinos in Biloxi, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and many other Caribbean and Central American destinations.

John Sowinski's comparison of Florida to Atlantic City, is completely outrageous. The great majority of Florida resort destinations, have no competition within easy driving distance, and FL resorts North of Tampa, could be restricted to a single slot room in a limited number of large resort hotels; where Atlantic City had a dozen full casinos, and was faced with multiple new casinos, some within 60 miles, that intercepted players from AC's largest markets, Philadelphia, NY City, Maryland and North/central New Jersey. And Florida has a 12 month season, where the AC beach and shore are only summer attractions.

Florida's tourists primarily arrive by plane, and stay a week or less; unlike the winter season resident; but both are potential customers of casinos and slot parlors. And individuals of both groups will respond positively to the inclusion of casinos and slot rooms; and increase their Florida numbers.

2017 Legislative Session preview: Showdown over gambling—again - SaintPetersBlog

My comment:

Florida gaming is in need of an overhaul. Greyhound racing is dead as a spectator sport, and from an economic perspective has gone from contributing nearly $100 million in taxes annually, to one that costs the State, for the racing part of their operations. The dog tracks could most likely survive just on Poker and pari-mutual betting on horse racing; with a valuable piece of real estate to sell, where the track once stood.

Thoroughbred and Harness racing are still part of the Florida tourism package, as are the Seminole Casinos; which would become more Internationally competitive with the addition of an American favorite, Craps; and the dominant game in Europe, Roulette. Florida competitors in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Biloxi and many Central American and other Island destinations offer the full compliment of games, that are denied the Seminole casinos.

The horse tracks should be allowed to keep their slots, with some of the tax revenue subsidizing Tampa Bay Downs, which is without profitable slot machines.

As for the slots taken from the dog tracks; there should be carefully consideration where, if at all, they would be most appropriate; but not in competition with existing Tribal casinos. Perhaps some North Florida resort communities would like a new amenity, perhaps at large existing resort hotels, where the aim would be at visitors, not residents; and the slot tax brought back to the original 50% or higher tax rate, for these slot parlors.

I have serious questions about Fantasy Sports, and where they can be operated, overseen and taxed. FL needs to consider that Sports Betting, on individual games (like Nevada), could be coming soon to desiring States; and would be most appropriate at existing casinos and possibly horse tracks.