Miami Beach Commission Votes No On Gambling Resolution
MIAMI BEACH (CBS4) -Miami Beach commissioners have taken a stand against gambling in South Florida. They plan to take their message all the way to the state capitol, as lawmakers consider legislation to allow mega casino resorts in Florida.
Protesters in Miami Beach voiced their anger for a second day in a row, criticizing plans for a mega casino across the bridge in the city of Miami.
Millionaire Norman Braman is one of those against more casinos.
"This whole effort is an assault on the quality of life that we built in this community," said Braman.
Braman was on hand as city commissioners approved a resolution urging the state to reject efforts to expand gambling in South Florida.
In no time at all, the anti-casino resolution was official.
"To really invite casino gambling into this community, to me it's like fighting a disease that will only metastasize here," said Braman.
"It makes no sense," said Phil Goldfarb, president of the Fountainebleau Hotel.
Goldfarb thinks a plan by the Malaysian casino giant Genting is gambling on steroids. He says a pan calling for smaller casinos might work better.
"It just can't be one giant monstrosity that will suck the life out of Miami Beach," said Goldfarb.
But Braman says more gambling equals more problems.
"And you see it in every area. Whether it's embezzlement, whether it's burglary, whether it's rape, whether it's murder, that's what the statistics say," said Braman.
City leaders also said Wednesday that they may hire a lawyer to fight against any casino projects.
