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Disney, Seminoles Sink $10 Million Into Gambling Fight

Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.
Wikimedia Commons
/
The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.

Disney Worldwide Services, Inc. and the Seminole Tribe of Florida continue upping the ante as they try to pass a constitutional amendment that could make it harder to expand gambling in the state. 

Disney and the Seminole Tribe each contributed $5 million on July 30 to the political committee Voters In Charge, which is leading efforts to pass the constitutional amendment in the November general election, according to a newly filed finance report.

The committee had about $20 million in cash on hand as of Aug. 3. If approved by 60 percent of voters, the ballot proposal ---- known 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.

Disney has been a longtime opponent of casino gambling in Florida, while the tribe already operates lucrative casinos.

With the latest contributions, Disney has contributed at least $14.655 million into supporting the ballot issue, while the tribe has put up at least $11.775 million, according to a state database.