Florida Gambling- Massive Expansion

Media: 
Session Year: 
2021
Bill Category: 
State
National or Local: 
State
Recommendation: 
Oppose
Details and Updates: 

House Vote  97:17 Nonpartisan    Senate 38:1 

Even if you don't gamble or gamble  once in awhile as entertainment this is going to impact all Floridians if passed.  


5/18/21- RALLY Bus trip to Tallahassee to protect our state against massive gambling expansion (Sign-up Here FREE Florida Family Action)  

5/17/21  Coming up on Monday, May 17, 2021, the Florida Legislature will begin a Special Legislative Session to consider, among other related gambling issues, whether to approve, amend or disapprove this massive, exclusive gambling expansion.


From Florida Family Action

THE PROPOSAL/COMPACT: 

Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a massive, all-exclusive state-sanctioned gambling expansion deal with the Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida, 2021 Gaming Compact between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and State of Florida( 75 pgs). 


WHY ARE THE ISSUES A PROBLEM?​  IMPACT

Forces the largest expansion of gambling in Florida history-  (Whatever your issue might be ... all have negative consequences) 

  1. Florida to be a global gaming mecca that rivals Las Vegas, Monaco and Macau... this will take over the current family friendly appeal that Florida has throughout the nation and internationally. 
  2. Many race tracks would be likely to close.  The effect would depressingly ripple through Florida’s horse breeding industry, which currently is top-three nationally for breeding and top-four for racing.
  3. Fantasy sports games — fantasy football, fantasy baseball, etc. — have exploded into popularity over the past 20 years. But the big national players such as DraftKings and FanDuel could be shut out of Florida because the Seminole Tribe would get exclusive rights.
  4. The Seminole Tribe of Florida would add the table games of craps and roulette to their casinos. Though, the real long-term potential lies in the Tribe’s proposed new ability to run all sports betting in Florida, including through the internet, which could be played anywhere in Florida.
    1. The Tribe also could contract with nontribal casinos to run Seminole sports betting lounges there.
    2. Perhaps equally important, the Tribe would get a 30-year deal, providing the assurances that Wall Street would want to provide the financing necessary for long-term, major growth.
  5. Allows on-line gambling on personal devices i.e. cell phone.  How can we protect our children?
  6. Violates the State and Federal Constitutions 
  7. Ignores the will of the people (Do you really think Florida needs more gambling opportunities/outlets?)
    1. Florida’s voters approved the gambling amendment in 2018 with a remarkable 71.5% of the vote which meant - seven out of every 10 voters wanted to give Floridians the “exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling in the State of Florida” through a citizen-initiated, statewide referendums. 

TALKING POINTS and Letter to Senators, Representative and Governor   THIS IS AGAINST ALL PROLIFE AGENDAS!

I do not want to expand gambling in Florida for any reason.  Keep our state family friendly.  Our state already leads the nation in drug overdoses, human trafficking, and DUI fatal car crashes.   Florida does not need a ‘trophy’ for gambling. 

Allowing children access to online gambling via their cell phones is morally and ethically WRONG.

The people spoke in 2018 expanding gambling is a decision to be made by the voters not a compact by the Governor and legislators. Therefore, this compact is unconstitutional.  Allowing exclusive sports gambling should also be voted on by citizens.

Allowing all sports betting be routed solely through computer servers on Seminole property regardless of where the bet is being placed not only creates a monopoly but opens the door for people to place online orders using a server rerouted through any state or country to save on sales tax dollars. 

Approximately 10 million people in the United States live with a gambling addiction problem. Gambling addiction often negatively impacts finances, relationships, and mental health.  This includes loss of jobs, bankruptcy, divorces, domestic violence, criminal activity, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. EXPANDING GAMBLING WILL INCREASE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DRUG ABUSE, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, DIVORCES, UNEMPLOYMENT, HUMAN TRAFFICKING… None of these issues solely impact the person but extend to the family and community.

THIS COMPACT IS AGAINST LIFE!!  PROTECTING FAMILIES, BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITIES SHOULD BE A PRIORITY.  YOU ARE PUTTING PROFITS BEFORE PEOPLE (THE VERY PEOPLE WHO ELECTED YOU) IF THIS PASSES.

 


TALKING POINTS  ( The below action alert text is courtesy of Bill Bunkley and the Florida Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.)

  • #1 Please vote “NO” to create a separate Gaming Commission that could be influenced by pro-gambling stakeholders interested in gambling expansion. Retain the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation as the state agency that regulates Pari-mutuel operations.
  • #2 Please vote “NO” to taking any additional steps toward allowing local Pari-mutuels to operate stand-alone local neighborhood gambling operations. Each local city or county originally voted to approve Pari-mutuel dog racing, horse racing Jai-Alai….not a stand-alone local gambling house in what is now in many cases a low-income neighborhood.
  • #3 Please vote “NO” to allow the Seminole Tribe to operate exclusive sports betting in Florida, to obtain 3 more new casinos, and to add craps and roulette wheels at the Tribe’s 7 locations.

Florida is known and branded as the #1 family tourist destination anywhere on the globe. Massive state tourism revenue is collected from these family-oriented visitors. Las Vegas tried to mix families and gambling…it did not work. Vegas returned to luring gamblers with all manner of adult entertainment. Don’t increase Florida’s crime rate that comes with expanded gambling operations.


ARTICLES:


GAMBLING STATISTICS AND FACTS YOU CAN BET ON

Gambling is one of the most popular and addictive pastimes worldwide, and these gambling statistics show it. It’s been around for ages, with opportunities for the gambling industry growing with the rise of technology. 

  • 30% of people said they thought gambling could be trusted and is fair.
  • 60% of gamblers stated the best odds as one of their top three factors for selecting a new operator.
  • Macau is a number one gambling revenue based on visitors, with 1354 dollars per person.
  • Problem gamblers statistics reveal that 6% of US college students can be classified as problem gamblers.
  • The average adult lost just over 400 dollars gambling in the US in 2016.
  • Stats on gambling worldwide: 26% of the world population gambles.
  • 41% of people think setting a stake limit on machines is an important policy issue.
  • The total number of casino games in Nevada is 5.510, making it one of the largest gambling markets in the US.
  • Las Vegas also brought in the largest revenue for commercial gaming in 2018, with 6.59 billion.

Even though some people tend to believe that gambling is a harmless fun activity, these gambling statistics indicate a different truth. Like with everything else that gives you high doses of dopamine, it’s easy to get carried away and get addicted to gambling even with negative consequences being frequent. The best cure is to never even start, and hopefully, these stats have convinced you of that.


KNOW THE FACTS:   NoCasinosFlorida

The Entire Proposed Gambling Compact Relies on a Legal and Practical Illusion The proposed compact is predicated on accepting something that is fictional, as fact.  Because according to the Compact, someone placing a bet on their mobile device, anywhere in Florida, is actually gambling “on Tribal lands” if the computer server happens to be located at a tribal facility.

Proposed Gambling Compact Violates the Florida Constitution In 2018, 72% of Florida Voters Approved Amendment 3, which says “…Florida voters shall have the exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling in the State of Florida.”  That means new gambling in Florida can only be authorized by a statewide vote of the people.  But gambling interests want our elected officials to approve this proposed compact without voter approval.  That’s not just wrong, it’s unconstitutional.

Proposed Gambling Compact Violates Federal Law In addition to violating the Florida Constitution, it violates federal law as well.  If it is approved by the Legislature, the State invariably will spend a fortune in taxpayer dollars defending this flawed deal, a legal battle that would be protracted, expensive and ultimately futile. 

Proposed Gambling Compact Allows Online Gambling in Florida The gaming compact sets the stage for statewide online gambling on personal electronic devices, a form of gambling that was opposed even by the late Sheldon Adelson, owner of the Las Vegas Sands Casino. He said that “loosening the reins on online gambling will take a heavy toll on young people, especially because current technology isn’t robust enough to keep children from betting real money using their computers.” (Do our children need more temptations in life?)

Forcing Casinos into Communities that Don’t Want Them The gaming compact includes a carefully crafted sweetheart deal designed to allow slot machine permits to move as a way to create big new casinos.  This would violate Florida’s constitution which limits slot machines to specific facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties

Gambling Compact Makes Florida an International Gambling Mecca An international gambling consultant says the compact “positions Florida to be a global gaming mecca that rivals Las Vegas, Monaco and Macau…”  A decision that so radically alters the future course of our state belongs — both morally and legally — to the residents of Florida and not the politicians.

POLL: 76% of Floridians Believe Voters Should Have the Final Say on Gambling Decisions A poll of 800 likely Florida voters taken after the compact was announced showed that 76% of those surveyed believe voters should have the final say over gambling decisions, with only 13% saying such decisions should be left to Florida politicians and the federal government.

Voter Control of Gambling Amendment Florida voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment 3 in 2018, a measure that specifically gives them — and not politicians — the final say over gambling expansion. Less than two years later, Tallahassee politicians are ignoring voters and pushing to enact an unprecedented expansion of gambling across the entire state. 

GAMBLING ADDICTION  Resource

Approximately 10 million people in the United States live with a gambling addiction problem. A gambling addiction occurs when a person continues to gamble despite negative effects that may impact their finances, relationships, or well-being. Gambling addiction involves compulsions to seek out gambling, betting, and wagering, and the end result can be devastating for the gambler as well as his or her family.

This often delays recovery and treatment and allows a gambling addiction to lead to other serious effects, including loss of jobs, failed relationships, and severe debt. Problem gambling is often associated with mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. Gambling problems don’t just affect mental health.

GAMBLING AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE  Resource

A growing body of research shows a high correlation between domestic violence and gambling. As a counselor, I see the confluence between the two frequently. After all, what do couples most often fight about? Money. And what does gambling addiction often provoke? Arguments over money. These disputes can escalate into abuse – physical, emotional, sexual, legal – all forms of domestic violence, now also referred to as intimate partner violence.

A team of researchers at the University of Nebraska medical school looked at data about people admitted to emergency rooms because of domestic violence. They found that when the person’s partner was a gambling addict, the odds of intimate partner violence increased 10.5 times. Another study by the same institution found that problem gambling created as much risk for domestic violence as alcohol abuse.

GAMBLING AND CRIME  Resource

More than two-thirds of compulsive gamblers report committing crimes directly related to gambling, and approximately 40 percent of compulsive gamblers report the only crimes they commit are related to gambling.  80 to 90 percent of individuals who attend Gamblers Anonymous report engaging in illegal acts to get money for gambling


Governor's prospective  on this compact

EASY TO CUT AND PASTE EMAILS. Hillsborough and Pinellas State Officials

Senate:

Darryl Rouson  
850-487-5019
Janet Cruz 
850-487-5018
Jim Boyd 
850-487-5021
Danny Burgess 
850-487-5020

rouson.darryl@flsenate.gov 
cruz.janet@flsenate.gov
boyd.jim@flsenate.gov
burgess.danny@flsenate.gov

House: 

LawrenceMcClure
850-717-5058
Traci Koster
850-717-5064
Jackie Toledo
850-717-5060
Dianne Hart
850-717-5061
Susan Valdes
850-717-5062
Fentrice Driskell
850-717-5063
Mike Beltran
850-717-5057
Andrew Learned
850-717-5059
Chris Sprowls
850-717-5065
Nick DiCeglie 
850-717-5066
Chris Latvala 
850-717-5067
Ben Diamond 
850-717-5068
Linda Chaney 
850-717-5069
Michele Rayner 
850-717-5070

Lawrence.McClure@myfloridahouse.gov   
Traci.koster@myfloridahouse.gov
Jackie.Toledo@myfloridahouse.gov 
Dianne.Hart@myfloridahouse.gov
Susan.Valdes@myfloridahouse.gov
Fentrice.Driskell@myfloridahouse.gov
Mike.Beltran@myfloridahouse.gov 
andrew.learned@myfloridahouse.gov
chris.sprowls@myfloridahouse.gov
nick.diceglie@myfloridahouse.gov
chris.latvala@myfloridahouse.gov
ben.diamond@myfloridahouse.gov
linda.chaney@myfloridahouse.gov
michele.rayner@myfloridahouse.gov