City to Look at Casino Gaming Laws

In 2012 Florida legislators might be considering bills that would allow Las Vegas-style casino gaming in Florida.

While the laws, according to city documents, are only intended for Miami-Dade or Broward County areas, the city wants to be prepared should the bill be adjusted to allow the casinos statewide.

Currently, Las Vegas-style gambling is only allowed at federally recognized Indian tribe casinos.  

At the Sept. 19 city commission meeting, the commission directed staff to prepare a report addressing casino gaming and how the city could use planning/zoning regulations to direct the location of any proposed casino facility to an area in the city where it would be most appropriate if casino gaming were to be allowed by the State of Florida.

On Monday, Oct. 3, the commission will receive the report from staff.

According to city documents:

The Florida Statutes authorizes the operation of cardrooms which are to be located at licensed pari-mutuel facilities. Authorized games and cardrooms do not constitute casino gaming operations as the players compete with one another and not against the house. The cardroom operator makes money by charging a participation fee, sometimes known as the “rake.” There are 23 cardrooms operating within the state. Pari-mutuel facilities in the state include dog tracks, horse tracks and jai alai frontons.

Commissioner Snyder, at the Sept. 19 meeting, said he did not believe a casino would be appropriate in the downtown area (specifically mentioning the former Quay property) and that perhaps an existing gaming location could be appropriate.

According to city staff, there are two possible ways the city could regulate possible casino locations; a comprehensive plan amendment and a zoning text amendment.

The drafts of the casino gaming bills are not yet available.