Magic City Casino owners win state approval for Edgewater casino and jai-alai

After winning a long legal battle with the state, the owners of Magic City Casino can move forward with their plans to build a casino in Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood.

Florida’s Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering just approved a necessary permit that would allow the Magic City owners to feature jai-alai sport games at the facility, according to the Miami Herald.

For years, the Havenick family has wanted to build a casino at 3030 Biscayne Boulevard, previously home to Legal Services of Greater Miami. A company tied to Russell Galbut’s Crescent Heights now owns the site, which Havenick’s West Flagler Associates would lease, building a fronton court and a card room for games.

The company’s original application was rejected by the state in 2015, but a state appeals court overruled the rejection in 2017.

West Flagler vice president Isadore Havenick said the facility will house improvisation comedy performances and concerts during the winter, and host jai-alai sport games in the summer. The company can begin hosting poker games after the first jai-alai game is played. The property would also feature a restaurant component, according to the Miami Herald.

Magic City Casino, near Miami International Airport, is replacing dog racing with jai-alai sport games, while continuing to operate slot machines. [Miami Herald] – Amanda Rabines