Disney Called Out on Gambling Contradiction
In the state of Florida, Disney, a powerhouse in the state due to its financial power and influence over the tourist industry, has long led the battle against the expansion of casinos arguing that it tarnishes Florida’s family-friendly brand.
Despite being publicly anti-gambling, Disney is the owner of the Marvel superheroes which form the basis for some of the most popular slots.
According to a Marvel spokeswoman, the company plans to cut its connection to slot machines when the various licensing agreements expire. The spokeswoman said that Spider-Man, Iron Man, the
Incredible Hulk and other slots will begin to disappear from casinos over the next few years.
A Disney spokesman said that the decision not to renew the licensing agreements was made recently.
When challenged about the seeming contradiction, Andrea M. Finger, a spokeswoman for Walt Disney world said that it can take a number of years for policies to align after two companies merge. Furthermore, Finger said, “We oppose the legalization of so-called destination resort casinos because this major expansion of gambling is inconsistent with Florida’s reputation as a family-friendly destination.”
