Hard Rock and Disney oppose casinos in Florida
Seminole Tribe puts more cash into gambling ballot proposal
One could understand how squeaky-clean entertainment empire Disney could oppose gambling as they seek to monopolize entertainment to their plastic and mortar world of make believe. After all, swamping children and their supine parents with cartoon characters and funny costumes is not that bad compared to casino gambling.
How is it that the Seminole Tribe of Florida, owners of the Hard Rock International casino gambling franchise, also oppose gambling in the state where they have almost a monopoly on this adult type of entertainment? Well, the answer is right there – they do not want competition from other gambling empires., This is why Disney and the Seminoles are such cosy bedpartners in their support of the political committee Voters In Charge, which is trying to pass Amendment 3 on tomorrow’s ballot.
With overall contributions at nearly $24.65 million to VIC, according to a new finance report posted on the Florida Division of Elections website, reportedly the Seminoles coughed up another US$4.285 million last week for the gambling ballot proposal. In all, VIC have raised US$44.31 million.
Amendment 3, if approved by 60 percent of voters, could make it harder to expand gambling in Florida. It would change the Florida Constitution and give voters the “exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling” in the state. Then, it would require voter approval of casino-style games in the future and effectively reduce the power of the Legislature and governor to decide gambling-related issues.
