Residents Hold Anti-Casino Demonstration in Miami Beach

The commission will discuss the matter on Dec.14.

Some residents who are against casinos in Florida will demonstrate Tuesday evening to send a message local officials that casinos are not welcome in Miami Beach.

The protesters argue that destination resort casinos are a threat to the quality of life in the city as well as the county, according to activist Arthur Marcus.

"We are against any casino destintation resorts in Florida. We don't want the expansion of the casino industry in South Florida. We feel it will be detrimental to our existing neighborhoods," said Marcus.
 
Activists said in a press release that some destructive effects include overwhelming traffic and local businesses will suffer.
 
The demonstration will be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center's Hall. It will be held prior to a gambling forum scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the same place.

Many Miami Beach residents have traditionally been opposed to building casinos in their neighborhood.

The issue has again stirred emotions because of Senate Bill 710, which is sponsored by Florida State Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff. The bill would allow up to three huge resorts with gambling into the Sunshine State. Embedded in the bill is a complete restructuring of the Florida gambling landscape. The destination resort bill, if passed, would place all gaming enforcement and regulation under a Florida Gaming Commission.

Strict gaming control, based on the Nevada model, would vett casino applicants and insure that all is on the up and up with the casino operations. Currently, Florida's gaming operations are overseen by several state agencies.

The highly controversial bill is expected to be voted on during the next legislative session.
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