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Are slot machines at Miami airport a winning idea?
As someone who routinely gets to the airport incredibly early, I can attest that they are boring, uncomfortable places. It's rare to find free wi-fi, sufficient power sources or quality food. Basically, you sit there, read a book and tolerate the chaos. But, if you're traveling out of Miami International Airport, you may soon have a new activity while you're waiting for your flight: slot machines.USA Today is reporting that the Miami-Dade County commissioners voted 8-3 yesterday to allow slot machines at the airport. The devices would be located beyond security checkpoints and would potentially allow the county to recoup some of the money that the airport is hemorrhaging. At present, the operating cost of the airport is $600 million and could more than double in the next six years. The slots could provide a much-needed revenue stream.
Sure, more money will come into the airport and some gambling addicts will be able to pass the time while waiting for their flights (and you'll often be waiting for your delayed flight at Miami International), but do you really want to hear that racket? Between the PA announcements, screaming children and people yelling into their phones, the last thing any airport needs is more noise. But money talks and Miami-Dade County needs the help.
So, do slot machines belong in airports? Would you pass the time waiting for a flight by pulling the handle and letting it ride? Or would you rather listen to your iPod, read a book and try to tune out all that chaos? Let us know in the comments.
Gallery: 10 tourist destinations with a funny name
Photo from flickr user Jeff Kubina.
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
Glenn Jul 2nd 2009 11:51AM
The State of Florida is faced with a $6 billion budget deficit. Do you really need to think about this revenue bonanza? Dah! In these present economic times, Florida needs to drop its bible belt mentality and come into the 21st century. In a state where tourism is the life blood of its economy, gambling is a much needed transfusion. Don't limit it to the Miami airport and Indian reservations, after all, when did Las Vegas or Atlantic City last have a budget deficit? As for the fear that gambling attracts more crime, can you say "lets go for a night out in downtown Orlando"? Florida legislators have taken an admirable first step in raising the tax on cigarettes. Add to that, a tax increase on alcohol and legalize gambling, and I'm pretty certain there will no longer be a need to lay off teachers and close schools to balance the budget.
bailoutsos Jul 2nd 2009 11:49AM
Just getting on a plane nowadays seems like a gamble.
Larlekool Jul 2nd 2009 11:49AM
Good idea. Slot machines at the Miami airport will be a good way to pass time during those lengthy layovers. The money will allow the airport to stay out of the red--way out of the red. Soon, slot machines will appear in other places around Miami as well.
R james Jul 2nd 2009 12:06PM
In my humble view Miami is not a nice airport; adding slot machines would enhance its tackiness but do little to improve it at all. I used to fly out of Miami on business and never enjoyed the experience.
Toni Jul 2nd 2009 12:38PM
I wish all airports had slots machines to help bide the time while waiting for a flight. Its a good way to add revenue to the states.
GINGA Jul 2nd 2009 12:44PM
I am kind of on the fence with this idea. I am in favor of bringing more money to the state but am worried about those with a gambling addiction. I like to throw a few bucks away at the casinos now and then and for me, who hates waiting in airports, this would be fun. However, I think there are more expenses than meets the eye---you would need guards to make sure those that played were not minors and techs to service the machines.
BIG JIM Jul 2nd 2009 2:03PM
I say YES to the slots it will help pass the wasted time @ the airport and maybe
give people a chance to stay in Flordia with there winning with a extened vacation
Louida Jul 2nd 2009 12:46PM
I guess they want to be just like the Vegas airport. What a way to waste money while your on your trip!
Lou @ http://EarningFreeMoney.com
sentinel Jul 2nd 2009 12:56PM
As I recall, more than once we voted on casino gambling and defeated it each time. Yet every year or so a new way around the law comes up.
This and some high profile stolen elections should prove to anyone with their eyes open that we are anything but a democracy. When we vote, it is usually just as effective to use a sheet of toilet paper as your ballot and deposit it in a round receptacle at home.
Poker rooms at the race track, Horse racing at the dog track, Casinos called "Arcades" that pay of with gift cards to major retailers. All of them ways to get around "the law" and proof that justice belongs to those who can pay the best or most crooked lawyer.
sandra Jul 2nd 2009 1:07PM
In reference to seniors gambling. Most are not those who need help and those who are going to casinos have already sent thier children and [grandchildren ]to college.They also have worked all these and earned the right to finish it in any manner they choose.Those who have a problem with this are usually waiting for thier handout and fear it will be spent. Give your parents or grandparents back what you took and they can gamble for years and not on penny machines.
Charles Winsmore Jul 2nd 2009 2:04PM
I can stand the noise of the machines: Just please hush all those unavoidable televisions!
Ray Jul 2nd 2009 1:28PM
GREAT!! I hop the slot machine noise will drown out the rude bastards that yell into their cellphones annoying everyone else!
Cher Jul 2nd 2009 2:06PM
I just moved from FL and while I lived there 25 years, I can't count the number of times I and the majority of FL votes voted DOWN legalizing gambling in FL. But now they have off shore boats, of course the Indian casinos, all kinds of gambling places that either don't pay you in cash or pay in cash and call it a "charity" instead of a "gambling casino" and now they want to put slots in airports! What isn't understood by NO to GAMBLING! How can they do this when voters vote NO!
Joe D Jul 2nd 2009 2:56PM
I for one would not spend one cent of my money on something that can become so indictive, why can the state fine a more meaningful way to raise money, with out hurting someone, enough is enough
CGW Jul 2nd 2009 5:20PM
ABSOLUTELY!!! I love being in Vegas just for the stupid airports. What a way to increase revenue since they never get you on your flight on time anyway.
Abdulla Akbar Muhammad Jones Jul 2nd 2009 6:47PM
WoW.....sluts at the airport and they are machines....I love this country...better than 72 virgins if I blow myself up.
Rick Jul 2nd 2009 8:05PM
Slot machines? Absolutely. Just in Miami Airport? No way!!!! I fly into Palm Beach airport 3 times a year. Put them in all airports. In fact, put gambling casinos all over Florida. The Indian casinos there a big ripoff. Let the state own them and use the money for education and other good causes. Then Floridians and tourists won't have to fly to Vegas or to the Mississippi casinos. Florida is loaded with tourists. How many tourists does Mississippi have. A handful at best.
Wish they would open casinos here in New york City in all the 5 boros (counties to you non-New Yorkers).