Poll: Miami-Dade Voters Want Vegas-Style Casinos
MIAMI (CBSMiami/Herald) - Over half of likely Miami-Dade County voters said they want Las Vegas-style casinos in South Florida, according to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald.
The survey, paid for by gaming supporters, found that Hispanics backed the idea of a constitutional amendment allowing up to three of the casino resorts in South Florida by a 60-40 percent margin.
Similar polls have been released in the past but the legislature has been a huge roadblock to any new legislation moving forward.
Support for expanding gaming in Miami-Dade County was lowest among Republican, 54-37 percent in favor, and strongest among Democrats (57 percent-36 percent) and independent voters (57 percent to 37 percent).
Among those opposing the expansion of casinos are Walt Disney Company, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and Native American tribes who see the casinos as expanded competition or hurting a "family-first" reputation of the state.
Republicans in the legislature have said they are open to passing a constitutional amendment allowing the Las Vegas-style casinos in South Florida, provided it is approved by voters in November and other conditions are met.
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