TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Feb. 3, 2012 -

Florida lawmakers are rejecting a plan to bring three major casinos to South Florida.

A House panel on Friday postponed a vote on a bill that would have granted casino licenses to major developers that pledged to spend at least $2 billion on resorts.

The delay in the House is likely to doom the proposal. A Senate panel has already approved a version of the legislation but the measure has stalled as senators wait to see if there are enough votes in the House to pass a bill.

The casino legislation has been one of the most heavily lobbied bills of the 2012 session. Backers have contended it would create tens of thousands of jobs at a time when the state's unemployment rate remains above the national average.

Florida Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mark Wilson
Regarding House Mega-Casino Gambling Bill

“The Florida Chamber of Commerce would like to commend Rep. Eric Fresen, Chairman Doug Holder and the members of the House Business and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee for effectively closing the books on this year’s distracting mega-casino debate. For all intents and purposes, today’s decision to postpone consideration of the gambling legislation is a decision to let what happens in Vegas stay in Vegas and frees up the Florida Legislature to address critical issues facing our state.

“We are pleased House members are putting the mega-casino question on the back burner. Now, lawmakers can intensify their focus on the pressing issues that are critical to Florida’s business community including lowering unemployment insurance rates, reducing workers’ compensation costs, closing the internet sales tax loophole, continuing to improve education and helping small businesses grow. With a few more weeks left in the Legislative Session, with the mega-casino issue quickly moving into the rear-view mirror, we look forward to working hand-in-hand with lawmakers to pass the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s 2012 business agenda.”