"We believe that legislators can allow "destination resorts" with slot machines, card games and roulette. Whether they should is a different matter. Gambling giants such as Genting, the Malaysian company that makes no secret of its wish to include a casino in the $3 billion resort it plans on waterfront property bought from The Miami Herald, will produce studies that promise eye-popping economic development and tax revenue. In 2009, the oil industry paid for studies that promised riches from drilling in Florida waters. Independent examination exposed those studies as bogus.

Whatever income and jobs the huge casinos would bring has to be balanced against social costs from gambling. The state also would lose income from the $1 billion agreement with the Seminoles for exclusivity at tribal casinos. If the state breaches that contract, the tribal casinos could offer any games new casinos offer - without giving the state a cut.

Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, has changed committee assignments to fast-track the gambling resort legislation. House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, is neutral so far, but his Central Florida perspective favors theme parks that see casinos as competition, and many House members outside South Florida oppose expanded gambling on moral grounds. Jobs might trump that, but the House should make sure the job figures are real."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Make sure the state wins (The Palm Beach Post 9/23)

More Opinions:
Opinion: Bring casino resorts to Florida? (The Palm Beach Post 9/2)
Roger Caldwell: Can Gambling And Casinos Generate Revenue For Florida? (The Weekly Challenger 9/22)