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The debate is underway over how many jobs would be created if lawmakers vote to expand gaming when they meet next week for the 2012 legislative session. Construction workers, limousine drivers and restaurant owners were in Tallahassee today saying expanded gaming would create jobs. But As Whitney Ray tells us, opponents of the bill say the casinos are a jobs killer in the long run.

Inside an unemployment office in Tallahassee supporters of a bill to bring three resort casinos to South Florida told reporters gaming would create jobs. Builders say the bill could create as many as 75-thousand construction jobs and help unemployed workers get off the state’s dime.

“The hope is that this would create enough of a development and enough of a boom that they could get hired back,” said Carol Browen with Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida.

Outside Gary Reifert, owner of Hollywood Limosine, showed off one of his cars. He says if the bill passes he might buy 10 more cars and hire 10 more drivers.

“I would say this business would probably double, if not triple,” said Reifert.

The Florida Chamber of Commerce isn’t buying it. They agree adding resort casinos would create new jobs, but at the expense of established businesses. .

“When you put a casino into an area like South Florida it actually takes money away from the existing businesses that are already there,” said Mark Wilson, President of the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

There are also concerns from the Chamber, religious groups and Disney that expanding gaming would hurt Florida’s family friendly image.

The situation just keeps getting more complicated. Now New York is looking expanded gaming to create jobs in the Empire State, which means if lawmakers here approve gaming, there would be competition for Florida.

The original bill lacked enough support to make it through the Senate. A new draft will greet lawmakers when they come back to Tallahassee next week for the 2012 Legislative Session. The Senate President has promised a vote in his chamber before the end of session. The bill will be a harder sell in the House.