...creating so called racinos, in Miami-Dade County is getting support from a major economic lobbying association. Yes For a Greater Miami is throwing support behind the referendum and has released a new study that shows casinos mean jobs and more tax revenue for the state.

Nearby Broward county already has Las Vegas style slot machines and there are now slot parlors at Mardi Gras Race Track and Gaming Center, Gulfstream Park and the Isle at Pompano Park. And more may be coming to the Indian Reservations throughout the state.

But gaming on the southern most tip of the United States is getting more support because of potential for big money in the form of added tax collections. According to the study conducted by Washington Economics Group Inc. if casinos were to come to Miami-Dade county, a wellspring of jobs would be created and also funnel $26 million in tax money through the county coffers. If passed, casinos are expected to open sometime in 2008 with up to 2,000 Class III slot machines per location at three pari-mutuel facilities -- Miami Jai Alai, Flagler Dog Track and Entertainment Center and Calder Race Course.

Interesting findings by the report include:
--Casinos would create 6,497 new, full- and part-time jobs, with 1,145 from construction and 5,352 from casino operations and hotel and restaurant workers.

-- Casinos would generate $376.8 million in revenue the first year, increasing to $542.2 million by 2018.

-- Add $258 million more in workers' pay into the local economy, at about $39,700 per job, including benefits.

--Generate $210 million in new state government revenues and $26 million to local governments including the county, Miami and Miami Gardens.

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"The study shows an independent analysis, commissioned by our campaign, of the thousands of new jobs that will be created, expectations for area businesses as a result of the new attractions and the additional revenue that can be expected by the state and the county," Sarah Bascom, spokeswoman for Yes For a Greater Miami told the Miami Herald.

Florida has however, had a form of gaming since the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. In fact, the first tribe to get legalized casino gaming was the The Seminole Tribe of Florida, whose lands are spread throughout the state.

The Tribe owns two casino resorts in south Florida -- in Hollywood and Tampa -- which opened in 2004, among other casino holdings. Exempt from taxes, the Tribe has been reaping in billions, transforming the Tribe into a world class business. Last December, they purchased Hard Rock International and other related entities from The Rank Group Plc for approximately $965 million. Now it also owns 68 Hard Rock Cafe Restaurants and retail stores, including 44 in the United States, three in Canada, 17 throughout Europe, three in Australia and one in Puerto Rico. The Seminoles also control licensing or franchise agreements for another 56 restaurants and five hotels with locations in places such as Orlando and Chicago, plus Hard Rock Live performance venues

However, the machines they currently operate are Class II machines, meaning they are really bingo machines where people play against each other. Though visually they look to the customer almost like a traditional slot machine, they are not as lucrative to the Seminoles. With Las Vegas style machines in the state, Florida Governor Charlie Christ is working behind the scenes to strike a deal with the Seminoles. The likely outcome is the Tribe will get slots and possibly table games but have to surrender a sizable chunk to the state.

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