Miami: Wants to Consider Impacts

Destination Casino Gambling in Florida Becomes Hot Issue as Multi-Billion Dollar Suitors Circle Miami

Posted by Michael Gerrity

Beacon Council President Frank R. Nero said he would like to see an independent task force composed of diverse officials from law enforcement, labor, small business and the academic community, as an example, study the issues and economic and social impacts that large scale casino gambling would bring to Miami-Dade County, South Florida and the State of Florida.

"We need an objective, thorough analysis not paid for by the casinos or other partners invested in gambling, on the economic and social impact it would bring to this community," Nero said, adding that the study should take between six months to a year to complete, and the task force's report on recommendations should be sent to the governor and legislators prior to any vote on this issue.

"If it's a good idea, it will still be a good idea a year later after the report is completed," Nero said. "If it's not, we should have waited for the report."

He added, "I would not be doing my job if I did not at least raise these issues."

Here are some issues the Beacon Council task force would like to address:


Land speculation could inflate prices of real estate and appraised value of land around the casino development, ensuring that no one would be able to afford to buy or rent near the property. Many merchants would have to find locations elsewhere. Residential displacement could be an end result.



•Only employees trained to work in the casinos will be able to get the higher paying skilled jobs at casinos. Few locals are trained for these jobs currently. Why not use the time to begin training local workers so that those jobs indeed go to the local community? No casino should open unless and until the local workforce can be identified and trained. How can that be accomplished and who will pay?



•The impact on current businesses: Destination resorts can have a negative impact on neighboring businesses because consumers are encouraged to stay in the resort and spend their money there, instead of going out to restaurants, merchants, plays and other venues.
•The social costs of alcoholism, gambling addiction, prostitution, organized and street crime. Who pays?



•Traffic and costs associated: Who pays?



•The impact, if any, on the Miami Beach Convention Center, Performing Arts Center, new museum district, tourism in South Beach and the ongoing Wynwood and Design District revitalizations.



•The net tax to state and local governments.



•Regulatory requirements: Will employees with criminal records be allowed to work at the casino? What controls are needed? How can we ensure that local companies are equitably represented as casino vendors and service providers?



•Substitution of tax revenue from other non-casino tax generation expenditures.



•Impact on current pari-mutuels and potential loss of tax revenue they generate.



•Support of prospective image of Miami-Dade County and South Florida as a diversified international business platform in addition to tourism and gambling centers. How can this be achieved?

Even as the Beacon Council reviews the impact of gambling in South Florida, other very powerful opponents to gambling in any part of Florida are lining up. The biggest and most formidable being Walt Disney World in Orlando.

Walt Disney World spokesman Bryan Malenius tells the World Property Channel, "We have studied this issue carefully and our position remains the same. We oppose the expansion of casino gambling in our state for many reasons, including the fact that it is inconsistent with Florida's brand as a family-friendly destination, and with efforts to diversify Florida's economy through research, innovation and entrepreneurship."

Pearson further comments, "Former Miami Mayor Joe Carollo, hardly known as a visionary, says Genting will sweep in like Hernan Cortez marching through Mexico. Even Beacon Council President Frank Nero was quoted recently saying the project will be like a vacuum cleaner, sucking up the customers from surrounding establishments and have a chilling effect on the Wynwood and Design Districts."