For the years, politicians in the Sunshine State have struggled over whether they want to let glitzy Las-Vegas style casinos sprout beside the Florida’s sugar-white beaches.

The Republican-controlled Legislature, split among the factions including those who are worried that more gambling would harm the Florida’s “family-friendly” brand, has never reached the consensus. But this year GOP leaders insist that they may achieve a breakthrough, prompted by the ongoing court battles and fatigue with a seemingly never-ending gambling debate.

“Inaction is not a choice,” said the Sen. Bill Galvano, a powerful Bradenton Republican who is sponsoring the major gambling bill this year.

Galvano and his fellow senators are advancing a proposal which would expand gambling far beyond its current locations, while the House Republicans are backing a plan to “freeze” gambling as it now exists in the state.

Gambling is supposed to be “illegal” in the Florida, but really is not. There is plenty of it around the state, often tucked away from theme parks and beaches in the locations known mostly to locals and retirees who flock to Florida each winter.

While the state lacks the high-end casinos like Las Vegas, the Seminole Tribe operates several casinos, including the Hard Rock hotels and casinos in Tampa and Hollywood. Dog and horse tracks are scattered in the statewide, but only those in the south Florida have been permitted to install slot machines, while only the tribe is authorized to offer the blackjack.

Any attempt to change the state’s byzantine gambling laws will face a gauntlet of the competing interests. They range from animal rights activists who want the dog tracks to drop greyhound racing to the owners of existing tracks fearful that the Seminole Tribe and out-of-state corporations will squeeze them out of the business unless they are granted concessions similar to those given to the tribe.

The state business groups are worried that expanding gambling will harm Disney World and other family friendly theme parks in the state that welcomes more than 100 million visitors annually. And others are opposed to expanding gambling on the moral and ethical grounds.

David Tarbert, a Tallahassee attorney who notes he was addicted to the gambling for 36 years, said that lawmakers should again this year reject any proposals to make gambling more widespread. He said that politicians interested in expanding gambling want to raise more money without raising the taxes.

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There is no question that Florida’s government takes in money due to gambling. The current deal with the Seminole Tribe has resulted in nearly $2 billion since the year 2010.

But the push this year is not just about money. Part of it is due to court battles which could alter the Florida’s gambling landscape unless the legislators act.

Republican leaders said they want to resolve the court battles and constant turmoil with some sort of comprehensive overhaul. But the Senate and also House have to reconcile their major differences.

The Senate bill would allow the slot machines at tracks in several counties outside of the South Florida. It also would allow the Seminole Tribe to add craps and roulette at its casinos and let track owners keep their gambling operations even if they drop the live racing.

But the House proposal would block any additional gambling and instead it would just let the Seminoles keep blackjack and slot machines at its casinos for 20 years. While saying the House is open to the negotiations, the sponsor of the legislation declared that the Senate proposal “was a non-starter” in the House.

Mrudula Duddempudi.