Despite rejecting casino gambling 3 times since 1978, Florida is home to a vigorous gambling industry made up of 31 racetracks, dog tracks, and jai alai frontons; about 26 gambling boats, a state sanctioned lottery, and at least 6 casinos located on Native American reservations throughout the state. (Joni B. Hannigan, Florida Gaming Laws a Mixed Bag, Florida Baptist Witness, 3/13/2003)
Six hundred billion dollars is wagered legally in the United States each year. That’s $2,000 for every man, woman and child in the U.S. The amount of illegal wagering is likely several times as great. In 1998, Americans spent more money on legalized gambling than on recorded music, theme parks, video games,
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