Washington Times – South Florida has frequent flights from around the country, Latin America and Europe visitors by the millions each year and Indian casinos that perform better than those in most other states. On top of that, the weather is terrific.

So it’s not surprising that two of the world’s largest gambling companies are lobbying in Tallahassee for the fourth straight year, hoping to persuade political leaders to pass laws to allow Las Vegas-style casinos in Broward and Miami-Dade counties – or at least let voters decide on whether they should be allowed.

Such casinos would go beyond the slot machines, poker, black jack and other card games the state permits at the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s casinos to include craps, roulette, keno and all the other games allowed in Nevada. The tribe has seven casinos, including the popular Hard Rock casinos in Tampa and Hollywood.

“It’s basically all there,” said Andy Abboud, vice president of government relations for Las Vegas Sands Corp., which is making a play to establish a large casino in South Florida. “You have some of the top casinos by poker table counts, and the Hard Rock (casinos) are two of the most successful casinos in history.”

Senators are debating a bill (SB 7052) that would broaden the state’s gambling base by letting Las Vegas Sands and Malaysian-based Genting Group compete

A bill in the House (HB 1383) is more restrained and relies on the creation of a gambling authority and voter approval for almost any moves expanding gambling in the state.

“We clearly need more overhaul of the regulations,” said state Rep. Rob Schenck, R-Spring Hill, the author of the measure. “That’s the thing behind the bill.”

It’s a fight that has made allies of tourism giants like Walt Disney World, the Seminoles and social conservatives, who want to block the expansion of gambling – and some South Florida legislators, who see casinos as an economic boon.
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