by Steve Norton
CEO, Norton Management

Florida gambling bill sails through House Committee Vote - CalvinAyre.com

Considering the Florida House has been against gaming, it is heartening to see the Compact come out of Committee with a positive vote. However they will have missed an important aspect of the negotiations, if they don't agree to add Craps and Roulette.

Florida already has three major Seminole Hard Rock casino resorts; but they are incomplete, without the game very popular in North America, and the favorite game in Europe. The Legislature needs to look at the tourism potential of a complete gaming experience; to put the State on even footing, when competing with resort destinations, in Biloxi, Las Vegas or the Islands.

Florida may be recognized as a family destination because of Disney and many other Orlando attractions. But even in Orlando, the great majority of visitors are adults, attending conventions, taking a vacation or spending the winter months in their seasonal homes.

And Las Vegas has shown the convention trades, that attendance of exhibitors and attendees increase when casino gaming is available. Perhaps Orlando doesn't need the extra business, created by gaming; but I doubt other parts of the State feel the same way; and probably understand the benefits of a limited number of casinos; like the Seminole Tribal Resort Casinos.

Adding these games might ease the way toward getting the Federal Government to sign off on a deal with such a hefty payment to the State.