Izzy Havenick's family owns the Magic City Casino, and the business is about to face a big struggle.
He is angry that small casinos weren't included in a bill generated by Malaysia-based Genting Group that would bring as many as three destination resort gambling casinos to Miami-Dade County.
"It's a farce we are not included in the bill," he said.
Miami-Dade and Broward gaming establishments said the bill is bad news for them.
The five local casinos pay 35 percent taxes down from 50 percent, and they will see no relief in the proposed bill. Whereas, the destination resort casinos would pay a 10 percent tax on gaming revenues if the bill is approved.
The new casinos would be allowed to offer all Las Vegas-style games including baccarat, roulette, and craps, while the smaller already-established casinos are restricted to offering poker, slot machines and the parimutuel activities such as horse or dog racing.
"Not only would they walk in here and pay ten, they would walk in her and have a full complement of casino games where we are limited to machines and poker and the parimutual activities we now have," Havenick said.
Havenick said he wants a level playing field for all the local existing casinos.
"We should all be allowed to compete and operate our businesses at the same level," he said.
Meanwhile, major gambling moguls have stocked up on lobbyists and public relations professionals, who are mounting their legislative campaigns. But Gov. Rick Scott is still playing the gambling issue very close to the vest.
"I think we need a healthy debate and let the local citizens make a decision whether they want this to go," Scott said.
