Las Vegas firm proposes casino resorts in Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Is cash-strapped Florida ready to roll the dice on Las Vegas-style gambling resorts?

With a gaming agreement between the state and the Seminole Tribe still under negotiation, a House committee is exploring another option: full-scale “integrated destination” resort casinos like those in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Biloxi, Ms.

A select House committee is set to hear a presentation Thursday from the Las Vegas Sands Corp. The firm owns gambling resorts in Las Vegas and wants to bring casino-based vacation resorts to Florida.

The development comes as lawmakers, Gov. Charlie Crist and the Seminoles work on a compact that would expand the tribe’ gambling offerings and pump a much-needed $150 million a year into the state’s treasury.