"The U.S. Interior Department has told Gov. Charlie Crist's office the state has until mid-August to reach a compact with the Florida Seminole Tribe regarding expanded gambling at their six casinos.

Tribes that sign compacts agree to some type of revenue or taxation to be paid to the government. In a state that is being threatened by outrageous property taxes and sky-rocketing insurance rates, you would think it would take about two seconds to say, "Yes, we will agree to the expansion of gambling, providing the state will realize a sizable percentage of the take." Then the money could start rolling in.

Would it solve all of the state's financial problems? No, but every little bit helps.

In an argument to stop the expansion of other forms of gambling, the Tampa Tribune claimed in a July 2 editorial that "A community overly dependent on gambling must also deal with increases in gambling addicts, alcohol abuse, divorces, suicides and prostitution."

Where is proof of any of these claims? Serving alcohol also leads to alcohol abuse, but why is there no call for the reinstatement of prohibition?"

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David Kelly: Gambling with Florida's future (The Ocala Star-Banner 8/5)