Gambling Measure Backers Spend Nearly $8.5 Million

Posted

Tallahassee, FL - A political committee backing a ballot measure that would make it harder to expand gambling in Florida spent another $8.48 million during the first week of October, with almost all of the money going to advertising, a new finance report shows. The committee Voters In Charge had spent an overall total of $30.567 million as of Oct. 5 as it tries to pass a constitutional amendment that has been funded by Disney Worldwide Services, Inc. and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Of the latest spending, $8 million went to the Virginia-based firm National Media Research, Planning & Placement for advertising expenses, according to the finance report posted on the Florida Division of Elections website. Another $346,582 went to Cornerstone Solutions of Florida, LLC for direct mail and postage. The proposal, which appears on the November ballot as Amendment 3, would change the Florida Constitution and give voters the "exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling" in the state. 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. The measure would require approval from 60 percent of voters to pass. Disney has been a longtime opponent of casino gambling in Florida, while the Seminole Tribe already operates lucrative casinos in the state.