Florida Mega Resort Casinos to Appear on 2014 Ballot – Voters Beware

Casino Watch Focus reported that the legislation being pushed by the Genting Group and others to legalize mega-resort casinos died in the legislature during this years session. The leadership in Florida was strong and outspoken against expanded gambling.  They were representative of their constituents as well as a voice of economic and social reason.  Now, The Miami Herald is reporting that the casinos will attempt to go circumvent the legislature and go directly before Florida voters:

After failing to persuade the Florida Legislature to pass a bill to open South Florida to mega resort casinos, gambling interests have taken the first steps to bring the issue directly to voters in 2014.

A political committee under the name of “New Jobs and Revenues for Florida” was created April 10 with the purpose of promoting a “statewide constitutional initiative re gaming.

The only group so far that has expressed an interest in conducting a petition drive to bypass lawmakers and go directly to voters is the Genting Group, the Malaysian-based conglomerate that has kept a low profile since a House committee knocked its chances off the legislative agenda in mid-session.

The petition process will take some time and Florida residents can have a big impact in stopping the measure before it gets off the ground.  The group behind this initiative petition will need to gather a significant amount of votes.  The Miami Herald explains:

The petition process requires that the organization get petitions signed by eight percent of the voters in the last presidential election to put the constitutional amendment on the ballot. The proposal must then be approved by 60 percent of the voters.

That’s a heavy lift, especially since statewide polls showed that while support was high for the casino measure in South Florida, there was less than 60 percent support in every other region of the state. Meanwhile, voters have blocked attempts to authorize casino gambling three other times when casino initiatives were on the ballot in 1978, 1986 and in 1994.

The pari-mutuel industry won approval to bring slot machines to eight race tracks, dog tracks and jai alai frontons only after telling voters the new gambling venues would be limited to Miami Dade and Broward.

This is a critical time for people to step up and make their voices heard.  Missouri knows all too well that the casino industry will spend millions of dollars to orchestrate a deceptive and slick campaign offering false promises in exchange for expanded gambling. Once the public is deceived, they will back peddle on their promises, and instead deliver heart-ache and torment to vulnerable Florida families.  However, The Miami Harold points to a group that is steadfast in its opposition:

No Casinos, the anti-gambling group backed by Disney and Miami auto magnate Norman Braman, is ready to oppose the initiative campaign, said John Sowinski, director of the group.

“Our sense is that legislators weren’t fooled by the slick sales pitch and Florida voters won’t be fooled by it either,’’ he said. “If Genting, or whoever this committee is, filed an amendment to expanding gambling in Florida, we will put together a committee to oppose it and our sense is it will be a similar outcome.”     

Please join No Casinos in your opposition to expanded gambling and help end this petition before the industry has an opportunity to deceive the people.

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UPDATE: Florida Destination Gambling Bill Essentially Dies in the House

Casino Watch Focus reported that the Mega Resort Gambling bill had taken its first step in the Senate by being voted out of a committee.  It still needed to travel farther in the Senate, but it was assumed the bill would stall in the House.  The bill must pass through both sides of the legislature on its path to become law.  If the bill fails in one chamber, it wont pass during that years legislative session.  The Florida Independent is reporting  that the bill has been pulled by the author, Rep. Fresen, in the house:

State Rep. Erik Fresen’s request at a House subcommittee meeting in Tallahassee today to temporarily postpone his bill to allow Las Vegas-style casinos in South Florida essentially killed the bill for the 2012 legislative session.

After 90 minutes of debate, Fresen said, “To the extent that I have been around this process long enough” and “having the ability to read the tea leaves and recognize where this bill is headed in this committee … I would in a very friendly manner ask through chair Holder to temporarily postpone this bill as we continue to workshop it.”

State Rep. Doug Holder, R-Sarasota, responded, “Before we make that decision Rep. Fresen I want to be really clear this is the last time that this subcommittee will meet” during the 2012 session, adding,”in other words, there will be no opportunity to hear this bill before the 2013 session convenes.”

 Rep. Fresen pulled the bill.  One small possibility does exist to  bring the bill back up in the 2012 legislative session.  The Miami Herald explains the possibility:

After a lengthy debate, the House Business and Consumer Affairs and subcommittee stopped short of killing the bill to bring three so-called destination resorts to Florida but, by failing to take a final vote on the measure, left it on life support.

After working for weeks to muster the votes on the 15-member committee, Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, couldn’t get a majority. He asked the committee to postpone a vote, leaving it in indefinite limbo under House rules. The only opportunity to revive it is if the House takes up a similar Senate bill.

The Senate bill has stalled, as they were waiting to see how the House would react.  It seems very unlikely that they will waste the time to try to push their version of the bill through, now knowing that the house version couldn’t even make it out of a committee.

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UPDATE: Florida Destination Gambling Bill Takes First Step, Has a Long Path Ahead

Casino Watch Focus reported that the Florida Gambling Bill had faced enough obstacles and opposition, that the bill’s author, Senator Bogdanoff, made an incredible amount of revisions and gambling expansions, in an attempt to bring as many people on board as possible. As originally expected, the Florida Senate was the likely starting ground for the bill to take hold.  The Sunshine State news is reporting that he bill has passed the first step, a small Senate committee, but it still has a long way to go:

A proposal to create a statewide gaming commission and allow voters to approve up to three mega casinos cleared its first hurdle Monday in the Florida Senate.  However, the odds appear to have grown longer against the success of the bill. The Senate Regulated Industries Committee voted 7-3 on Monday in support of the Destination Gaming bill.

In voting against the bill, SB 710, Sen. Charles Dean, R-Inverness, said the bill reaches “too far” and “too fast” in expanding gaming in Florida.  Sen. Thad Altman, R-Melbourne, added that the bill doesn’t fit with the image many have of Florida.

“This doesn’t fit into our scheme of what we want to be and what we want to represent as a family friend destination,” Altman said.

The Sunshine State news goes on to explain that the next step is for the bill to go before the Rules Committee and that might take extra political pressure.  The silence of the House on the issue will also play a major role:

Sen. John Thrasher, R-Jacksonville, called the bill too vague for an unelected gaming commission to interpret and would create an expansion of gaming across the state.

Thrasher’s objection, which wasn’t unexpected, places a potential barrier for the bill reaching the Senate floor.

He added after the meeting that he currently has no plan — unless Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, asks — to put the bill before his Rules Committee.

The bill must go before the Rules Committee if it clears its next stop before the Senate Budget Committee.

“We haven’t had the first indication from the House if they have any interest in this bill yet,” Thrasher said.  “So I have a feeling this bill will slow down dramatically until we see some movement, if any, from the House.”

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UPDATE: Florida Gambling Bill’s Fierce Opposition Causes 170 Page Rewrite by Senator Bogdanoff

Casino Watch Focus reported that the Coalition to oppose the Florida destination casinos bill had grown to an impressive level when top Florida Cabinet members Bondi, Putnam, and Atwater joined the fray.  Now that the short, 60-day legislative session has begun, the clock is ticking on the bill’s supporter, Senator Bogdanoff, to get the votes necessary to pass the legislation.  The Tampa Bay Times is reporting that the uphill battle has caused Senator Bogdanoff to rewrite the bill in a desperate hope to get support:

Senate sponsor Ellyn Bogdanoff last week released a 170-page rewrite of the bill to help take pressure off reluctant lawmakers by including a requirement that any county — including Miami Dade or Broward — that wants to attract one of three mega resorts must first get voter approval.

To win over supporters of the existing pari-mutuels, the revised bill allows them to operate Las Vegas-style games and receive a lowered tax rate if they compete directly with the new casinos. And across the state, any struggling horse and dog tracks and jai alai frontons would be allowed to ask voters to let them install slot machines.

The bill also attempts to win over gaming opponents. Bogdanoff, a Fort Lauderdale Republican, and House sponsor, Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, would ban new pari-mutuel permits, regulate or close internet cafes and set up a strict new regulatory structure. The state would create a new “Department of Gaming Control” to administer and license the casino resorts and regulate the pari-mutuels and card rooms.

The bill has the effect of expanding gambling even more under the guise of allowing public choice.  The best chance for the bill to gain early traction appears to be in the Senate.  The Tampa Bay Times explains:

There is no guarantee these changes will assuage critics when the bill comes up for its first vote in the Senate. But the bigger test is in the House, where a conservative Republican majority and a presiding officer, whose home territory includes Disney World in Orlando, are reluctant to open the door to anything that could harm the state’s family-friendly tourism image. One thing is certain about the looming legislative debate over gambling: It will be an epic battle in Tallahassee.

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Top Florida Cabinet Members Join in Opposition of Proposed Destination-Casinos

Casino Watch Focus reported that a diverse group of individuals and groups were standing strong in their opposition to the Destination Casinos bill introduced by  Senator Ellyn Bogandoff.  The more mainstream groups that oppose expanded gambling include Disney, The Florida Chamber of Commerce, The Florida Hotel and Lodging Association, and The Florida Attractions Association.

Joining them is a coalition anti-gambling groups such as the No Casino, the Florida Baptist Convention, the Florida Catholic Conference, Florida Casino Watch and Florida Family Action.  The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling not only provided the statistics for current gambling issues, but they also went as far as to say that the state’s policymakers shouldn’t expand  gambling until it gets its house in order.  If that collective opposition wasn’t representative enough of those in Florida, now all three of the Florida Cabinet members have come out against these Vegas-style destination casinos.  The Palm Beach Post reports:

Attorney General Pam Bondi and Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam joined forces Thursday with a coalition of law enforcement officers, social conservatives and business lobbyists determined to kill a proposal to allow three more casinos in Florida.

The pair are the state’s highest-ranking GOP officials to publicly oppose the “destination resorts” bill now working its way through the state legislature. A spokeswoman for Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, the third member of the Florida Cabinet and also a Republican, said later that he opposes the measure, too.

That leaves Gov. Rick Scott as the only executive wild card. Scott has not taken a firm stance on the measures (SB 710, HB 487), although he has repeatedly said he does not want the state to become dependent on revenues generated by the casinos. He also has said he doesn’t want a casino going into a county unless voters there approve first.

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Florida Legislator Looking to Replace One Plan of Expanded Gambling for Another

Casino Watch Focus reported that after a Florida appellate court upheld the decision of a lower court to effectively allow legislators to expand gambling without a vote of the people, the anticipated “destination casino” bills were filed.  Now, one Florida House Rep is looking to capitalize on people’s frustrations by enacting a different gambling bill.  The Miami Herald explains:

In an attempt to shift the debate from Miami casinos to the state’s bottom line, state Rep. Joe Abruzzo is filing a bill Wednesday to direct Gov. Rick Scott to give the Seminole Tribe exclusive operation of casino games in Florida for 15 more years in exchange for an annual guarantee of $750 million.

The four-page bill would authorize the governor to re-open the 20-year gambling compact signed in 2009 by Gov. Charlie Crist that now requires the Seminole Tribe of Florida to guarantee $1 billion in the first five years in exchange for the exclusive right to offer table games in Miami Dade and Broward and slot machines outside of South Florida. The tribe now pays an average of $150 million a year under the agreement.

 Abruzzo is trying to disguise the bill as one that would prevent the South Florida designation casinos, prevent expanded gambling and provide more money to the state.  He is selling it as something that wouldn’t expand gambling when he claims that “this still maintains what is a (gambling) deal but would not be that massive of an expansion. Clusters of neighborhoods based around gaming would not be popping up outside of what already exists within Indian reservations.”  However, the Seminoles wouldn’t be supportive of the bill if they had to pay out $750 million to the state with no new revenue or possible venues.  Most interestingly however, the bill would also allow the Compact to be reopened and with it, the chance for more full scale Vegas style gambling.  The Miami Herald goes on to explain what Abruzzo’s motivation for such change could be:

Abruzzo, a gambling supporter, has also filed a local bill that would allow the Palm Beach County Kennel Club to start offering slot machines – a measure that, if passed, would violate the current gambling compact with the state.

It seems plausible that he is simply attempting to allow additional gambling at current Seminole locations, while altering the compact to allow for slots and other gambling in new locations.  Either way, bills like this draw a skeptical eye and typically for good reason.  The best support to protect the families of Florida is to oppose any new attempts at expanding gambling in the state, even those who’s authors claim it “wouldn’t be that massive of an expansion.” 

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

Anti-Gambling Groups Ask to Join Florida Supreme Court Case

Casino Watch Focus reported that the appellate court decision that lead to the new “destination casinos” debate had been appealed to the Supreme Court.  The case has incredible implications toward the future of gambling expansion.  As such, other groups are looking to join the legal side making the appeal.  The Orlando Sentinel explains:

No Casinos has asked the Supreme Court to allow the anti-gambling group to join a case over whether Hialeah Racetrack can have slot machines, by filing briefs in support of Calder Race Course.

The Orland-based group was joined by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and the Florida Attractions Association. None of the four groups had sought to intervene when the case was heard by a Tallahassee circuit judge or the 1st District Court of Appeals, so the justices will have to give them permission to intervene now.

Calder, supported by other South Florida pari-mutuels, is contesting a 1st DCA ruling that allows slots at Hialeah Racetrack and permits the Legislature to expand gambling instead of requiring voters to approve all gambling expansion projects.

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UPDATE: Gambling-Expanding Slot Case is being appealed to the Florida Supreme Court

Casino Watch Focus reported that  an appellate court upheld a ruling that would allow the Florida legislature to expand gambling in the state without a vote of the people. Given the case involved the constitutionality of legislation to expand gambling, it has been assumed that an appeal to the Supreme Court would be filed. Now, The Associated Press is confirming those assumptions:

An appellate court decision that said the Legislature can approve slot machines anywhere in the state is being appealed to the Florida Supreme Court.

If allowed to stand, that ruling would allow lawmakers to permit destination casino resorts in Florida. Bills have been filed for the 2012 legislative session, which starts Jan. 10, to license three such resorts in South Florida.

The casino legislation is being opposed by some on moral grounds as well as competing interests. Tourism-related businesses such as Walt Disney World also are lining up against casinos because of the fear they’ll tarnish Florida’s family-friendly image.

This appeal is simply the first step.  The Florida Supreme Court must first decide to hear the case.  It is believed that given the magnitude of the case’s implications, the Court will do so and hear arguments on the case.  The Associated Press continues:

The appellate court ruled the amendment doesn’t prohibit lawmakers from approving slots at facilities other than those that meet the amendment’s criteria. If the Supreme Court takes the case, it will hear two different arguments from Hialeah’s competitors.

Flagler and Florida Gaming say the amendment allows slots only at the seven Broward and Miami-Dade pari-mutuels. That interpretation would bar the Legislature from permitting slots anywhere else including casino resorts.

Calder’s position is the amendment applies only to pari-mutuels. That view would exclude Hialeah but let lawmakers authorize slots at casino resorts because they are not pari-mutuels.

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Florida Supreme Court will have Major Impact on Destination Gambling

Casino Watch Focus has reported on the ongoing attempt to bring full scale Vegas-style destination casinos to Florida.  The last attempt resulted in a pass in the Senate but it went on to stall in the House. The assumption by the legislature has been that they have free reign to pass legislation to expand gambling without the will of the people because of a circuit court ruling.  Now, an online source is reporting that a Supreme Court case will rule on the case and potentially push would be casino companies out of Florida:

Las Vegas Sands has been at the forefront of the lobbying efforts to expand gambling in Florida to include destination casino resorts. Now, all of the lobbying efforts could hinge on one court ruling. The ruling is expected to decide whether or not the Legislature has the right to authorize casino resorts without the input of the public. If a constitutional amendment is needed, it would likely mean the end of the lobbying efforts in Florida. LVS lobbyist Nick Larossi has already admitted that if the ruling comes down against the current situation, the company would likely close up shop and move on from the idea of Florida as a destination for their future endeavors. The end result may not be known until the case reaches all the way to the Florida Supreme Court.  

Even if the Supreme Court allows the Legislature to expand gambling, there would still be a number of hurdles before full scale destination gambling becomes reality.  The Sun Sentinel Online explains:

Sen. Dennis Jones, R-Seminole, who chairs the Senate Regulated Industries Committee, the stopping point for any gaming legislation in the Senate, said he has gotten no indication from Gov. Rick Scott over whether he would even sign a destination casino bill and said he is unsure if he will again offer legislation. “I’m still kind of holding my cards if I’m going to file,” he said. In the House, Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, has been working on a sweeping gaming bill that would limit destination casinos to South Florida and set up a gaming commission to regulate the industry.

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH, & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

Florida Destination Gambling bill makes a last ditch effort in the Senate, but stalls in the House

Casino Watch Focus reported that two Florida State Senators, Dennis Jones and Maria Sachs, filed legislation to allow five destination casinos throughout the state.  The bill was immediately opposed by the pari-mutual industry and the Seminole Tribe was quick to point out that if the bill passed, they would no longer be obligated to pay the state $250 million a year for five years.  After some intense political pressure and a key amendment, the Senators pulled the bill.  Now, The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that a new last ditch effort is being made to push Destination Gambling:

A measure by Sen. Oscar Braynon, D-Miami Gardens, would attempt to  bring Las Vegas-style gaming to Florida in the form of huge destination  hotels like Las Vegas Sands or Wynn Resorts. The bill passed the Senate  Commerce and Tourism Committee Tuesday, but over the objections of  several committee members who said there were still many problems with  the legislation.

“I think it’s a sad day in Florida when we’ve decided that the way  we’re going to fix our economy is to expand gaming,” said state Sen.  Anitere Flores, R-Miami.  Lawmakers who supported the bill in the committee said it still  needed many changes though before it would be acceptable for a full  chamber vote.

Even if the Senate measure were to pass, a companion bill would need to clear the House.  The Orlando Sentinel points out that the leadership in the house would not be inclined to pass the pro-gambling bill:

A House companion measure effectively stalled after it was assigned to a committee that House Speaker Dean Cannon, who is anti  gaming, later disbanded, meaning its chances of becoming law are still  slim.

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UPDATE: Florida Destination Gambling Bill Dies After Intense Political Pressure and a Key Amendment

Casino Watch Focus reported that two Florida State Senators, Dennis Jones and Maria Sachs, filed legislation to allow five destination casinos throughout the state.  The bill was immediately opposed by the pari-mutual industry and the Seminole Tribe was quick to point out that if the bill passed, they would no longer be obligated to pay the state $250 million a year for five years.  Now The Palm Beach Post News is reporting that political pressure and a key amendment has killed the bill this legislative session:

State Sen. Dennis Jones, R-Seminole, who has spearheaded the Senate’s gaming efforts the past few years, is withdrawing a proposal to bring five “destination resorts” to the state that would have featured full casino gaming.

The decision, in the face of fierce behind-the-scenes opposition from the state’s pari-mutuel industry, likely ends the possibility of any major gambling expansion this year.

Jones’ bill died after Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, attached an amendment that would have allowed South Florida pari-mutuels to also operate as casinos – with table games and craps in addition to slot machines — with a tax rate identical to any future destination casinos.

Sen. Jones said that his intent was not to see gambling expanded at the pari-mutal level, so he pulled the bill. Even though this bill has failed, there is still time for other similar bills to get passed.  The Palm Beach Post News explained that the odds are not in the casinos favor however:

Backers of destination casinos are still holding out hope. Similar bills have been filed by state Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, and Sen. Oscar Braynon, D-North Miami Beach. But supporters acknowledge they will be a tough sell, particularly in a conservative House that has fought gaming expansion in the past.

Braynon’s bill is set for a Senate committee hearing next week, but the House measure may die in a logistical snafu. The proposal was assigned to a subcommittee that House Speaker Dean Cannon disbanded after its chair, Rep. Esteban Bovo, R-Hialeah, resigned last week to run for the Miami-Dade County Commission. Cannon, who is largely anti-gaming, would need to reassign the bill to a new committee for it to move forward.

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH, & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

UPDATE: Florida State Senators introduce Vegas Style Casino expansion bill

Casino Watch Focus reported that Las Vegas Sands Corp and Wynn Casinos pitched their idea for Vegas style casinos to the Senate Regulation Industries Committee.  Now an online source is reporting that two Florida State Senators serving in that Committee, Dennis Jones and Maria Sachs, have officially filed legislation that would create destination gambling casinos:

Dennis Jones, R-Seminole, and Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, announced the news via a release Friday. Jones is chair and Sachs is vice chair of the Senate Regulated Industries Committee, which gambling falls under.

The legislation would authorize what Jones calls one “destination resort” in each of five districts across the state. Broward and Miami-Dade counties comprise one district. Palm Beach County is part of another, along four counties that neighbor it. The casinos would require approval by local referendum, and the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the state’s pari-mutuels say they’re going to fight it.

This legislation would have an impact on the 2010 agreement between the Florida government and the Seminole Tribe.  The agreement allows the Seminole Tribe to offer blackjack and other table games in their casinos at a payoff price of about $1 billion over five years to the Florida government.  That agreement was based on the Seminoles being the only casinos allowed in the state and destination casinos would void the exclusivity of the agreement, thus costing Florida those funds.  The online article explained that the tradeoff will be a tough sell:

“If the Legislature wants to allow in new entities, it will have to decide if it’s a good tradeoff,” tribe spokesman Gary Bitner said. “Are they going to make enough to make up the assured payments from the tribe?” Until now, gambling in Florida has grown piecemeal. But getting the state, and then the public, to take the leap to full casinos could be a tough sell.

Dick Batchelor, a Democrat from Orlando who served in the Florida House of Representatives for eight years, said he and others feel such an expansion could hurt the state. “We all know it’s about money, but rather than do the right thing and set better priorities; they’re going to the vice industry, and I’m a pretty liberal guy,” he said. “The bottom line is, ‘Is it good for Florida?’ and I would suggest it’s not at all good.

“The ultimate result of this legislation will be a net loss due to the decimation of the pari-mutuel industry and lost revenue from the Seminole compact,” said [John Lockwood of Gunster law firm, who represents a number of pari-mutuel facilities in Florida].

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New Jersey to regulate online gambling; a legal battle is sure to ensue

Casino Watch Focus last reported that online gambling would remain illegal, as lame-duck session efforts by Senate Majority Leader Harry Ried’s gambling bill never materialized.  However, the focus has been on the federal level and several state legislatures have been debating legalizing state online gambling bills.  An online gambling website is reporting that New Jersey has become the first state to pass legislation attempting to regulate state online gambling:

In the race to become the first state to regulate online gambling, New Jersey has won. Lawmakers in both the Senate and the Assembly overwhelmingly passed legislation Monday that will bring poker, blackjack, and other popular casino games to the Internet.

In a rare show of solidarity, Democrats and Republicans came together to pass the online gambling bill. The Senate passed the bill 34-2, while it passed the Assembly by a 63-11 vote. Now, all that is left between Atlantic City casinos and their customers at home will be the signature of Governor Chris Christie.

There is a chance that the bill will be rejected, as Gov. Christie is a Republican and will most likely face political pressure to uphold the Republican lead efforts to keep online gambling illegal at the federal level.  However, he has been vocal about his support for expanded gambling and if the bill gets signed into law, they will almost definitely be facing an uphill battle:

The federal laws will create a stumbling block for New Jersey. While states have the right to create their own laws, New Jersey will have to be careful of how they regulate the Internet gaming industry. One key factor will be monitoring to ensure that only New Jersey residents gamble at the online sites.

This legislation will influence the way other state legislatures’ approach the issue.  Keep reading for updates on this situation, and for more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH, & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION.

Cape Girardeau votes yes to allowing a new casino

Casino Watch Focus reported that the election in Cape Girardeau was being almost exclusively bought and paid for by Isle of Capri Casino.  So, its no surprise that when the SE Missourian reported the casino election results, they showed a clear win for the casino and potential loss for the families in southeast Missouri.  The vote was necessary but insufficient to guarantee a casino in Cape.  The Missouri Gaming Commission must still award the proposal to the Isle of Capri.  Considering the MGC has been positioning itself to accept a Cape proposal and has even gone as far to say they might not award a license at all if they didn’t find the location that would make the state a considerable amount of money, it’s very unlikely the Commission would reject a Cape casino.  Keep checking back to find out the fate of the state and our families.

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And Then There Were Three

Casino Watch Focus reported that four companies remained in the hunt for Missouri’s 13^th casino license and that the Missouri Gaming Commission was holding a meeting to hear a more in-depth proposal from each candidate.  Now the St Louis Business Journal is reporting that one of the four companies has now been eliminated from consideration following the meeting:

Missouri Gaming Commission Chairman Jim Mathewson told reporters that North County Development LLC was knocked out after not participating in Wednesday’s public hearings in Jefferson City.

Ed Griesedieck, a Herzog Crebs attorney who represents North County Development, said the group needed more time to raise money for the Riverview Casino project. He had sent a letter to the commission saying that, given the size and complexity of the proposal, significant additional funding and sophisticated operating and funding partnerships would be required. If the extension isn’t granted, “we will regretfully need to withdraw” at this time, he wrote.

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