If you have not done so, please take a few minutes to read this article about the attitudes that South Florida CEO’s have about the expansion of gambling.

We have plenty of gambling in South Florida already and I’m struggling to see the overall benefit to our community. I can’t find a person to look me in the eye and say that they are happy to raise children in a community that is willing to make a big long term bet on gambling. We all need to focus on the key word in the conversation — “gambling.”

— Eddy Arriola, chairman, Apollo Bank

South Florida has attracted residents and visitors for decades due to our warm climate, natural beauty, and strong ties to Latin America. The past decade has seen an explosion in arts and culture, adding to our appeal as a wonderful place to live and visit. All of our maturation as a community has occurred organically. I feel very strongly that destination gambling would, at the very least, set back our progress and, at worst, undo much of what we have gained. We are a major destination without casinos, why risk all that we have accomplished as a community for the dubious promise of additional tax revenue?

— Ana-Marie Codina Barlick, CEO, Codina Partners

I feel Destination gambling would conflict with South Florida’s focus on growing a well-diversified economy that attracts the best talent across growth industries such as technology, life sciences, financial services and healthcare. Our neighborhoods are developing rich character and our arts and culture organizations are excelling. All of this is leading to quality employers and new talent flowing in. Widespread gaming could adversely affect these positive trends.

— Tere Blanca, CEO, Blanca Commercial Real Estate

I feel that the time, effort and funds needed to build a successful gambling industry could be better spent on developing entrepreneurial or technological ventures to draw businesses and people to South Florida that will raise the status of the tri-county area both in the eyes of Americans and the international business community.