Casino roadblock: Opponents want Florida casino gambling barred without statewide vote

Casinos will have a tougher time opening in Florida if a coalition of anti-gambling groups had its way.

The group, Voters in Charge, are planning to propose a constitutional amendment next year that would require additional gambling to get a statewide public referendum first before it can be allowed in Florida, Tampa Bay Times reported.

John Sowinski, chairman of the newly-formed coalition, told the news outlet: “Given the stakes involved and the money that the gambling industry puts into campaigns and lobbying, the people of Florida should have the final say on whether or not to legalize casino-style gambling.”

Sowinski said the group has already started collecting the required 700,000 signatures and more than 60,000 valid petitions to trigger a review by the Florida Supreme Court, according to the Palm Beach Post.