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- Another $10 million contributed by Disney and the Seminoles to fight gambling
- Initiative could stymie the expansion of legalized sports wagering in the state
- Disney and Seminoles want voters to decide on any future gambling expansion
The state of Florida has its casinos, but most are out of reach of a good chunk of the state's population. If Disney has its way, expansion won't be happening any time soon.
Most of the full service casinos like the Hard Rock Seminole are found in South Florida (Miami-Dade and Broward) and Tampa. Racinos are scattered elsewhere.
Disney says "no more".
On Monday, one of the state's largest employers dumped another $5 million into its gambling fight.
Ironically, the state's largest casino interest, the Seminoles, contributed another $5 million.
If Disney had its way, there would be no gambling in the Sunshine State. The Seminoles, on the other hand, want to control most of it.
The push to prevent expansion is likely to stymie sports betting's entry into Florida.
In May, the Supreme Court ruled against decades long prohibition. Each state is now allowed to offer the activity, provided they amend their own laws.
The committee receiving the contributions, Voters In Charge, had about $20 million in cash on hand as of Aug. 3. If approved by 60 percent of voters, the ballot proposal —— known as Amendment 3 —- would change the Florida Constitution and give voters the "exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling" in the state.
It would require voter approval of casino-style games in the future and effectively reduce the power of the Legislature and governor to decide gambling-related issues, Orlando Weekly reported.
To date, Disney has contributed $14.655 million towards the ballot initiative, while the tribe has put up at least $11.775 million.
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
