A political committee raised $7.75 million during a week-long period as it tries to defeat a proposed constitutional amendment that could make it harder to expand gambling in Florida, according to a newly filed finance report.
The contributions were made between Oct. 13 and Oct. 19 to a committee known as Citizens for the Truth About Amendment 3.
Money came from a variety of gambling interests, such as $2 million from MGM Resorts International, $1 million from Jacksonville Greyhound Racing, Inc. and $250,000 from Tampa Bay Downs, Inc., according to the report posted on the state Division of Elections website.
The committee, which had raised an overall total of $14.69 million as of Oct. 19, also spent nearly $8.89 million during the week-long period, with almost all of the money going for advertising-related expenses.
The committee is fighting a proposal on the Nov. 6 ballot that would change the Florida Constitution and give voters the "exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling" in the state.
It would require voter approval of casino-style games in the future and effectively reduce the power of the Legislature and governor to decide gambling-related issues.
The measure, which appears on the ballot as Amendment 3, has been heavily backed by Disney Worldwide Services, Inc. and the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
Disney has been a longtime opponent of casino gambling, while the Seminole Tribe already operates lucrative casinos in the state.
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