Following the Florida legislature’s unsuccessful attempt to pass a far-reaching gambling law that would have allowed a casino in Miami, the Miami Beach city commission voted 6-0 to approve two ordinances banning casinos and other gambling facilities. Moving on a fast track for passage, the citizens planning board approved the measures that would change the city’s planning and zoning laws to ban gaming.
Residents expressed their agreement with the ban, including auto magnate and art collector Norman Brman, chair of the host committee for the international art fair, Art Basel, wrote in a letter to the commission, “I believe the future of Miami Beach as host of Art Basel would be placed in serious jeopardy if gaming reaches our community. Directors of the art fair previously indicated gambling is not compatible with the world-class art fair.”
Also in favor of the gambling ban is mayoral candidate and former state legislator Dan Gelber. He said, “The Florida legislature had agreed that there was going to be one or two casinos in our backyard, without us even having a moment to weigh in any way.” Gelber’s opponent, Commissioner Michael Grieco said he agreed with Gelber and the commission. “We see consensus on the dais, but this is one that also transcends politics. We see consensus among candidates.”
Alex Heckler, lobbyist for the Fontainebleau Hotel, which had been interested in a gaming license if an additional one became available. Urged commissioners to reconsider and conduct an economic impact study regarding gambling. He said any gambling in Miami-Dade County that does not take place in Miami Beach will impact local resort tax revenue. “Those impacts will hurt your hotels, your businesses and some of the mom-and-pop, locally owned restaurants,” he said. City Attorney Raul Aguila the city will do an economic impact stud as required by its charter.
Miami Beach commissioners said they would like other governments in the county to consider banning gambling as well. Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado has stated he does not support Malaysia-based Genting opening a casino at the former Miami Herald property it bought in 2011. Commissioner Ricky Arriola said, “If there is a mega-casino in Miami, it will begin a cascade because every hotel is going to say, ‘I need slot machines to compete.’”
