The Florida Senate and House of Representatives today released a joint "invitation to negotiate," asking qualified vendors willing to perform a two-part study detailing gaming market information to bid.
Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, said in the announcemet, "The study will be used by the Florida Legislature to better understand the economic, fiscal, and social impacts of possible changes in Floridas gaming environment."
The Invitation to Negotiate is published on the committee's website.
As Amy Baker, coordinator of the Legislatures Office of Economic and Demographic Research explainedduring her presentation before the House Select Committee on Gaming Tuesday -- and Richter repeated in his announcement -- gaming is a well-established business sector in Florida, with roots that stretch back to the 1890s.
Pari-mutuel racing has been state-regulated since 1931. And in the past 25 years, gaming industries have been transformed, not just in Florida but all around the country. Pari-mutuel wagering has declined.
"The state lottery, as well as cruises, card rooms, casinos, and 'Internet cafes' have emerged. Meanwhile, the states approach to regulating and taxing gaming activities has not kept pace," Richter wrote. "Layers of exceptions and patches are not working well to promote the states overall economic and social welfare. The situation demands a comprehensive critical assessment."
That assessment is the task of Senate President Don Gaetz and Speaker Weatherford. The study is due to be complete by Oct. 1 and is meant "to set a factual foundation for our deliberations ...(It) will analyze not only what we have but also new possibilities knocking at the door. It will inform our choice of whether or not to open the door, and if so, how wide," said Richter.
The study, as described in the "invitation to negotiate" will do this:
-- Evaluate the structure and performance of Floridas existing gaming industry, including identification of subsectors, their size, and their economic importance.
-- Describe the economic and fiscal impacts of each subsector, assess changes in those impacts over time until the present day, and include projections for the future.
-- Consider likely social costs of expanded casino gaming activities, including problem and pathological gambling-related behaviors and changes in crime rates.
-- Include estimates of total spending and net economic impact for gaming expansion, recognizing changes in demand as well as reduced spending at other Florida businesses because visitor and resident spending has now flowed to gaming.
This is a fact-finding year for gaming. The Legislature is not expected to take any action on it during the 2013 session.
Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
