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Report: Gambling expansion would have little effect on Florida's economy I firstcoastnew... Page 1 of 2 <br /> Print - Report: Gambling expansion would have little <br /> effect on Florida's economy I firstcoastnews.com firstcoastnews.com <br /> Report: Gambling expansion would have little effect on Florida's economy <br /> 4:44 PM, Oct 7, 2013 <br /> TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A draft report concludes expanding the gaming industry in Florida <br /> would have little effect on the state's economy but could create social costs of more than $1 <br /> billion. <br /> The Senate Gaming committee met in Tallahassee Monday to hear preliminary findings from <br /> a gambling research firm. <br /> The Spectrum Gaming Group was supposed to deliver its final report last week. <br /> But state lawmakers decided the report was too confusing and incomplete, so they gave the <br /> firm another 30 days to finish its work. <br /> One of the main conclusions so far finds that expanded gambling would provide only a <br /> moderate gain for Florida's economy. <br /> Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, who opposes more gambling, said that conclusion <br /> shows him more gaming is not worth the cost. <br /> "To me, that's a positive because I am not for expanding gambling overall. But I'm open- <br /> minded. I'm going to listen. We have four tours around the state to listen to folks and we'll <br /> see what happens after that." <br /> The committee will hold public hearings in Lakeland, Jacksonville, Pensacola and South <br /> Florida. <br /> Committee chairman Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, told Spectrum executives that he <br /> expects them to deliver reliable, meaningful and understandable information to lawmakers. <br /> "I know that asking for an extension was not an easy and not your preferred choice. But I <br /> appreciate the fact that you are in alliance with our need to have understandable and reliable <br /> information." <br /> Spectrum Executive Vice President Joseph Weinert testified an expansion of gambling <br /> would likely have only a moderate impact because the state's economy already is so <br /> expansive. <br /> He said the state would collect more tax collections and see a mildly positive impact on <br /> employment and wages. <br /> http://www.firstcoastnews.com/topstories/article/330762/483/Report-Gambling-expansion-... 10/9/2013 <br />