Even Don King gets into the game

An appeals court decision last week appeared to open the door to major casino resorts being considered in Florida. The ruling affirms lower court rulings that the legislature can decide to implement gaming in Florida without putting the measure before the voters of Florida in a referendum. The last time voters were asked about casinos in Florida, the measure was turned down by a wide margin in 1994.

Of course, many things have changed since then, including the explosive growth of tribal gaming and the approval of racinos in Broward and Miami-Dade counties in South Florida. But a statewide referendum would have made adding casino resorts to the state much more difficult

State Rep. Erik Fresen and state Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff can now go through with their bills that would allow three casino resorts costing at least $2 billion to be approved in the state.

As the Genting Group of Malaysia squares off against the Las Vegas Sands Corp. to build the first mega-casino in South Florida, other interests large and small are wondering how they can get a piece of the revenue pie.

Genting, which spent about $300 million on 30 acres on Biscayne Bay in Miami, has already unveiled an artist’s rendering of its planned $3 billion destination resort on the property. The parcel (including the site of the Miami Herald building) would include four hotels, two condominium buildings, retail space, a 700,000-square-foot convention center, 50 restaurants and waterfront nightclubs that could be completed within three to five years if the casino giant gets a gaming license.

Without gaming, construction would proceed “as the market demands,” says Genting—that could mean 10 to 15 years before the block is fully developed, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Meanwhile, Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson has reportedly found a site in downtown Miami that could house a Miami Sands.

“We have looked at the site and we like it,” Sands VP Andy Abboud told the Herald. Abboud also said the group “is actively involved in negotiations” with the Miami World Center Group, which owns a nine-block mixed-use development in downtown Miami.

According to the Edge of Malaysia, a partner at the World Center Group confirmed having met with Adelson but the talks have not gone further.

“We have been approached by Sands as well as other operators but we do not have any deal with the Sands and we have not seen any designs,” Nitin Motwani said.

The Herald reports that Las Vegas Sands has a plan similar in size and scope to the Genting proposal. Sands officials also reportedly told state and local officials that the South Florida market cannot support two gambling giants.

Other players interested in a casino license in the region include Wynn Resorts and Caesars Entertainment. And hair-raising boxing promoter Don King wants to turn an old jai alai fronton in Palm Beach County into a casino resort. King says if he could turn the old jai-alai building into a casino resort, he would be able to bring at least 2,000 jobs to the county and Mangonia Park.

According to the Naples News, developers in Fort Myers, including former Miami Heat coach Pat Riley, are lobbying for a destination resort with gambling in Lee County. But Sarasota is working to limit casinos in its back yard. According to the Florida Herald-Tribune, city commissioners are considering zoning changes to preserve the community’s family-friendly atmosphere.

“You have that very loud, very flashy, very transient population,” said city Commissioner Shannon Snyder, who has asked staff to explore ways to preempt any decision in Tallahassee that would open the doors to casinos. “I just don't think it's appropriate in our downtown or our bayfront area.”

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, who adamantly opposed more casinos during his administration, said lawmakers will restrict gaming to the southern part of the state including Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

“The north will let the heathens in the south have the casinos and they’ll take the benefits,” Bush scoffed.

Miami-Dade County is angling to benefit from the potential earnings of a casino in its neighborhood. According to a Herald report, county commissioners have voted unanimously to negotiate new terms with the city of Miami to get its share of the windfall.

County Mayor Carlos Gimenez said the county deserves at least part of the windfall if new tax revenues pour into the community. “They’ll be able to pave the streets in that area with gold,” he said.

County Commissioner Sally Heyman agreed, because the county would be responsible for building roads and providing services to the casino. She suggested the county take a minimum of 45 percent of any new taxes generated from the Genting plan.

As the talk continues to heat up, the Seminole tribe of Indians—whose gaming compact with the state would presumably be nullified if Florida allows commercial casinos—is planning a $150 million expansion of its Coconut Creek Casino.

By Staff