Governor Rick Scott Skeptical of Casino Revenues
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
By: Mark Simpson

Nov. 30, 2011 | WMFE - Florida is facing a 2 billion dollar budget gap this year. Advocates of expanded casino gambling in south Florida say 3 proposed resort casinos would help to make up millions of dollars declining state revenues.

In an interview with WMFE News Wednesday, Governor Rick Scott said he’s skeptical about the reliability of gambling revenues, “No one knows if it’s steady or not, and there’s lots of different economists seeing lots of different things as  economists do.  There’s always different proposals about how revenues are going to come in.  My concern is I don’t want our state budget significantly tied to gaming.”

State lawmakers are expected to consider the casino proposal in January’s legislative session.

If passed, the measure could jeopardize an existing agreement over casino gaming between the state and the Seminole tribe of Florida. 

In Central Florida, The Walt Disney Company and political leaders, including Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer have come out against expanding the casinos.  They've raised concerns about tarnishing the region's family friendly image.