Florida Amendment 3, appearing on the 2022 ballot, addressed gambling regulations, specifically focusing on voter control of casino gambling. Prior to its potential passage, expanding casino gaming in Florida required a statewide referendum. This amendment sought to grant voters exclusive power to authorize casino gambling through citizen initiatives. A hypothetical example could be a group of citizens gathering signatures to place a measure on the ballot to permit a new casino in a specific county. Without the amendment’s passage, such decisions could be made through alternative avenues like legislative action.
Proponents argued that this amendment would increase transparency and public engagement in decisions related to casino expansion, placing control directly in the hands of Floridians. They emphasized the potential benefits of limiting the influence of special interests and ensuring that gambling expansion aligned with public sentiment. Historically, Florida’s gambling landscape has been complex, with various forms of gaming permitted under specific regulations. The amendment represented an attempt to streamline the process for casino expansion and enhance public input on this aspect of the state’s gambling policy.
