Seminole County officials hold forum on gambling amendment

LAKE MARY, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - Florida voters will see Amendment 3 on their ballot on Election  Day.  It’s titled “Voter Control of Gambling in Florida,” and asks if voters should have “the exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling.”

A “yes” vote means you think, in the future, voters should make that decision. A “no” vote means you think the lawmakers you elected should make that decision on your behalf.

At a forum hosted by the Seminole County Regional Chamber of Commerce Thursday morning, advocates for both sides weighed in. 

The people backing the amendment say the casino industry and its lobbyists have too much influence in Tallahassee. 

“We don’t think casino licenses should be for sale to the highest bidder in Tallahassee.  It should be an issue that’s decided by voters,” said John Sowinski, president of Voters in Charge.  

People who want you to vote “no” says the amendment could hurt business for card rooms and race tracks, while giving an unfair advantage to existing casinos.  

“This is and should be a legislative matter and it should be dealt with by the people we elect to represent us in the state of Florida,” said Jamie Shelton of Best Bet Jacksonville.  

Jason Brodeur, is the president of the chamber of commerce and a state representative. He says tourism makes up a big chunk of Florida’s revenue, so as a lawmaker he keeps in mind that casinos affect the state’s family-friendly image.  

“If I believe that that equity is going to be jeopardized by changing the way we are viewed as a state that's something I have to consider as a legislator.  As an individual, I think the voters should be in charge,” Brodeur said.

The amendment needs 60% of the vote to pass on Election Day.