CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Gov. Jeb Bush swung through South Florida today, and he took a swing at the slot machines issue along the way.

Bush is trying to persuade voters to defeat next week's referendums on installing Las Vegas-style slot machines at South Florida parimutuel facilities.

Bush said expanding gambling could prove devastating to Miami-Dade and Broward counties and that the vote will define the community. He argued that entrepreneurs, dreamers and innovators won't be attracted to move to South Florida if slot machines get a foothold.

Last November, voters across the state narrowly approved changing the constitution and opened the door to legalizing Vegas-style slot usage in the state's two most populous counties.

Supporters said the slots would deliver up to $500 million a year for schools statewide, create as many as 18,000 new, good-paying jobs and stimulate economic development.

Opponents predict crime will soar, tourism will suffer and that the move will allow the state's tribal casinos to bring craps, blackjack and roulette to their reservations.