Capitol Chatter: August 3

Gambling plans multiply as battle heats up
The fight over legalizing gambling in Florida on a scale that could one day rival Las Vegas is moving into high gear.

After failing to get their proposal out of a House committee in February, gambling interests are preparing new deals while anti-gambling forces are also mounting their campaign.

Las Vegas-based Boyd Gaming Corp., which runs casinos across the nation, announced in its earnings statement that it has a deal with Sunrise Sports Entertainment, the operators of the BankAtlantic Center, to possibly develop a casino next to where the NHL's Florida Panthers play in Broward County. The agreement involves 90 acres of undeveloped land.