Billionaires Successfully Oppose Plan To Introduce A Casino To Miami Beach

A team of billionaires has successfully defeated a scheme to introduce a casino to Miami Seaside. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Off the table

A team of highly efficient billionaires in Miami personal stood in the technique of plans for a casino in Miami Seaside. Senate Bill 1054, which aimed to originate a casino on the Fontainebleau Hotel, turned into region for a hearing on Monday in the Senate Regulated Industries committee. It turned into taken off the assembly agenda after news of the main opposition from the local business leaders grew to alter into obvious.

Senate Spokeswoman Katie Betta confirmed on Wednesday that this invoice no longer “had a capability forward.” Senate Regulated Industries Chairperson Joe Gruters, meanwhile, confirmed that the committee pulled the invoice after hearing that the Dwelling would not cross it. Every the Dwelling and Senate would deserve to approve the invoice for it to fetch passage, even supposing Gruters added that its prospects might well perhaps well be better subsequent yr.

made plans to flee over 100 Miami Seaside officers and residents to Tallahassee

The invoice’s main oppopnents, billionaire Norman Braman and property Armando Codina, made plans to flee more than 100 Miami Seaside officers and residents to Tallahassee for Monday’s hearing before its cancellation. With out a doubt one of the indispensable other big opponents to the casino scheme turned into Castle Founder Ken Griffin. He despatched a letter to the Miami Herald condemning the proposal.

An audacious scheme

Jeffrey Soffer, a billionaire who owns the historical Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Seaside, turned into the most most critical proponent in the back of the laws for glaring causes. In 2023 by myself, entities linked to the 56-yr-faded offered more than $300,000 to political campaigns in the role, as successfully as $1m to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ now-ended presidential marketing campaign.

The invoice that Soffer hoped he might well perhaps well web over the road would personal allowed holders of gaming permits to switch them to 1 other space within 30 miles of the present facility, superseding any restrictions that local governments personal on gambling.

Soffer owns the Mountainous Easy Casino in Hallandale Seaside, which is roughly 14 miles from the Fontainebleau. An correct ban has been in location in Miami Seaside on gaming facilities since 2017. The laws would personal allowed him to switch the Mountainous Easy Casino license to his Fontainebleau Hotel.

Opposition to the invoice

Miami Seaside officers imagine the invoice is “unconstitutional,” arguing that voters personal the unfamiliar ultimate to authorize any assemble of casino laws expansion since a say-wide referendum in 2018. Politicians are unable to proceed with such laws without consulting locals in consequence.

such as “willingly dumping toxic raze into the Everglades”

Ken Griffin, in his letter to the Miami Herald, insisted that casinos bring dependancy, crime, and erode the standard of lifestyles in communities. Allowing a casino will be such as “willingly dumping toxic raze into the Everglades,” in step with the hedge fund proprietor.