The proposal to licence three resort casinos in southern Florida is causing concern to religious groups, anti-gambling bodies and pari-mutuel operators. It is also sending waves across The Bahamas where the resort casino industry is a mainstay of the economy. The Nassau Guardian reports on comments by the Minister of Aviation and Tourism, Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, who says The Bahamas must ‘up its game’ if it wants to compete or will risk being left behind.
It is not just the case that new casinos in Florida will dilute the market. The fact that large global casino companies are likely to get the resort casino licences, if the proposed law is approved by the Legislature, means that top quality entertainment venues will be built, attracting the same clientele that previously chose The Bahamas for vacations with sea, sun, sand, shows and gambling. Florida casino resorts are seen as a threat to visitor numbers of US tourists.
The plan released by the Genting Group for a massive resort on Biscayne Bay has already caused controversy. According to some, traffic gridlock will result and local businesses will be adversely affected as unable to compete on equal terms with a casino resort where US$3 billion is spent to create first class attractions.
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If a gaming licence is granted for that site, the gaming floor area would be even larger than those at the huge Las Vegas casino hotels and in direct competition for gambling dollars previously spent in Nevada.
The Destination Resorts Bill currently under consideration by the Florida House and Senate will be pulled apart and reassembled many times before a final vote is taken on casino resorts. The eight pari-mutuels want to ensure their 35% gaming tax on slot machines would be reduced to the 10% gaming tax proposed for casinos. The Miami-Dade Commissioners and Mayor want to change the state recipient of those tax revenues to include the city and county where a destination casino is located. The bill’s sponsors, Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, and Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, say they are ready to hear suggestions to improve the bill. (E-11.02.11)
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