via Fontainebleau Miami Beach
"When Jeffrey Soffer acquired the resort in 2005, he made it clear he sees it as a Vegas outpost in Miami Beach."
That quote originates from the Miami Herald circa Fall 2008 regarding the then newly renovated Fontainebleau on Miami Beach. The words have been resurrected because Soffer appears to be getting closer to at least the plausibility of bringing a casino to his Miami Beach baby after details trickled out about Florida's new $3 billion gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe.
The new 20-year pact, if approved by the House and Senate, also allows the Legislature to open the door for parimutuels to operate new slots casinos in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.
The Miami Herald reports the Fontainebleau is "likely" to pursue the slots license, but obviously faces some legit competition in Genting's "Resorts World Miami" project.
But the measure also opens the door to expanded gaming, especially in South Florida, where the Malaysian company Genting has said it wants to build a full casino resort on Biscayne Bay on the former site of the Miami Herald building. Under the compact, the tribe would continue to make payments even in the face of increased competition from a new Miami or Broward slots casino. The Fontainebleau in Miami Beach is also likely to compete for the slots license. Adding to its deck of amenities that includes several fine-dining options, LIV Nightclub and a festive pool scene, a casino - even just slots initially - would provide the Fontainebleau with a similar invigoration as the 2009 renovation.
· Florida Gov signs $3 billion gambling compact with Seminole Tribe [Miami Herald]
· Miami Fontainbleau Hotel Owner Soffer Facing Casino Issues [Huffington Post]
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