Lawmakers in Florida are preparing a draft bill to legalise casino resorts in the state.

Representative for Miami Erik Fransen and Fort Lauderdale Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff are understood to be writing a bill that would scale back gambling in the state but permit fully-fledged casinos in the designated locations.

Although such a bill will no doubt be welcomed by Resorts World Miami developer Genting Malaysia and Las Vegas Sands owner Sheldon Adelson, who is also believed to be keen to develop a property in Florida, it is expected to anger the pari-mutuel industry. Although collectively it has been calling for more favourable tax conditions for a number of years, this bill is unlikely to deliver such breaks.

The bill will set out the criteria for gaming licences and stipulate that resort developers must invest a minimum of around $2bn in their properties.

Fransen and Bogdanoff have delayed publishing the bill until they are satisfied it stands a chance of being passed when it reaches the legislature. Despite their efforts, however, it is widely believed that regardless of what it contains the bill will be amended extensively by both the House and Senate.