"Florida is a gamblers' state that continues to cheat itself out of the big benefits of the gambling industry.

We should be nurturing the development of world-class casinos that generate jobs from their construction and operation, stimulate the economy of the areas around them, lure even more visitors to Florida and put billions in state coffers.

Traditional objections to gambling's bad moral influence make little sense in a state with dozens of racetracks and a state lottery.

Two bills filed recently in Tallahassee with bipartisan sponsorship would permit five mammoth "Destination Resort" casino hotels, one in each of five different regions of the state. The hotels would have at least 1,000 rooms each, with approval required from local voters.

Lee and Collier counties are in a region with the Tampa Bay area, where any casino would likely be built.

This idea spreads the benefits around the state, rather than trying to replicate a Las Vegas- or Atlantic City-style casino strip in Miami-Dade or Orlando."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Get Florida on the casino bandwagon (The Fort Myers News-Press 3/21)

Also Today:
Tea Party, Scott at odds over expanding non-Indian casinos (The Tampa Tribune 3/19)