Seminoles, Disney continue to fight gambling expansion in Florida

In the middle of September, Disney and the Seminole Tribe of Florida shelled out $10 million to fight gambling expansion in The Sunshine State. They’re at it again, this time reaching into their pockets to find another $10 million to try and sway voters’ opinions in the upcoming November general election.

Disney and the Seminole Indian tribe, which owns the Seminole Hard Rock resort, have contributed around $36.3 million combined to Voters In Charge, a lobby group designed to thwart efforts to see gambling become more prevalent in Florida’s landscape. They are campaigning for Amendment 3, which gives Florida residents the ultimate word on whether or not more gambling venues would be allowed in the state.

Disney doesn’t want more gambling because it says that it will threaten its family-friendly business, Walt Disney World in Kissimmee, Florida. The Seminole Tribe operates several casinos throughout the state and, for obvious reasons, doesn’t want any more competition.

Under the current legislative framework, the state legislature decides whether or not to allow more gambling operations. Amendment 3 puts the choice squarely in the hands of the voters and would need 60% approval for the measure to pass.