Legislators Proposing Nevada-style Gaming Comm.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBSMiami.com) – Genting Malaysia and Las Vegas Sands both want to turn South Florida into a gambling hotspot with Las Vegas-style casinos and resorts.
But, the state is treading very carefully before agreeing to open up Florida to casinos and resorts. If Florida wants to copy Las Vegas, Florida legislators want to put in extremely tough regulations.
Bills set to be filed this week by House Representative Erik Fresen and Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff will allow three $2 billion resort casinos in Miami-Dade and Broward County, according to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald.
The bills would also create an independent gambling commission modeled after the regulatory boards in both Nevada and New Jersey.
The bills would place horse and dog tracks, jai-alai frontons, poker rooms, Internet cafes, sweepstakes games, and full casinos under one agency, the Herald reported.
In addition, a five-person gaming commission would be put in place and the commissioners would have staggered terms and be appointed by the governor, according to the Herald.
The commission then would decide which companies will be granted licenses for the three casinos.
The bill would also create a separate commission that would be granted to police the casinos, conduct investigations, and monitor finances, according to the Herald.
(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Miami Herald contributed to this report.)
