Jacks Or Better Casino Boat operators supoport new casinos in Florida, could lead to new rules allowing them to operate dockside
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Local casino boat operators in Mayport support a proposal to add new casinos to Florida, while state Sen. John Thrasher opposes the measure.
Casino gambling is expected to be a controversial issue when the 2012 Legislature convenes Tuesday. A proposal would allow three new casinos to open in South Florida.
Jacks or Better Casino boat operating off Mayport is the closest thing to a casino in Northeast Florida. Operators support the new casinos, because adding them could bring more later and benefit the casino boat.
"I would like to see us grandfathered in," said Paul Denton, general manager of the casino boat. "To allow us to operate from the dock without having to go out to sea for gambling, It would obviously make our lives easier."
"In Biloxi, Mississippi, they started like that before the land-based casinos followed. It would increase our business immensely, 100 percent, 200 percent..."
Thrasher chairs the Senate Rules Committee which will get the first look at the bill. He said he opposes balancing the state's budget on the back of gamblers.
"I think it is wrong for Florida. I think right now we have a tourist oriented state, a family friendly state. It is branded that way around the country," he said.
"We have had a great experience bringing in tourists, bringing in families. To bring in casino gambling, Las Vegas-type gambling, I think is the wrong thing for Florida."
Thrasher believes there is no question that opening the door to three new casinos in South Florida would eventually lead to more.
"It is clear you could have a referendum in other counties in the state, and eventually get one of those destination casinos here in North Florida, or Orlando for that matter."
Thrasher said the casinos could lead to more crime and would "cannabilize" existing hotels and restaurants.
Bringing more jobs is the reason some are supporting the measure. At a news conference in Tallahassee today, the Associated Builder and Contractors organization urged passage of the bill allowing casinos.
"If we're out of work then Florida is just not working." said Carol Bowen, spokesperson for ABC. "So I would respectfully ask the legislators, as they think about their goals for this session, if they really want to put people back to work, we just can't afford to say no to this."
Gary Reifert, owner of Hollywood Limousines, said his limousine and construction-related companies have gone from employing 27 people to just three part-time workers.
Reifert said people need jobs and he doesn't like to hear critics say that casinos would not offer high-paying jobs.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce is fiercely critical of the legislation, but not because of the salaries at casinos.
The Chamber said if gambling is such a good job creator, then why does Nevada have the highest unemployment rate in the nation?
First Coast News
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