As expected, Miami Beach commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to oppose an expansion of gambling in the city, the Miami Herald reported. Further, they demanded that the Florida legislature reject any bill that opens South Florida to casino resorts.
In real estate terms, the vote will probably scare away casino developers from amassing property in the area, including Steve Wynn, the Las Vegas magnate who reportedly offered to fund a Miami Beach Convention Center expansion in exchange for casino development rights at the site.
One Commissioner even advocated for taking legal action against the Genting Group’s proposed project at the Miami Herald site, as the vote yesterday has no impact on casino plans in downtown Miami. [Miami Herald]
December 17, 2011 at 4:31 pm, Anonymous said:
South Beach is not the right spot for a large destination casino. Traffic is a nightmare as it is. I say keep that to the mainland. The Miami Herald building is perfect, expecially considering the plans call for a large yacht marina. If i was one of Miami Beach’s commissioners, i would somehow work with Miami city & Miami-Dade elected officials, and with the Genting folk to try and have them include the revamping of the MB Convention Center. A destination resort on the mainland will increase tourism to Miami Beach. As it is now, everyone who visits Miami doesnt care about downtown Miami, they come for South Beach. I cant see that changing in a negative way should a destination resort pass thru the legislature or if it is approved by voters. Personally, i say bring in the destination resorts, tax appropriately, create gambling oversight and improve our infrastructure.