More details about gambling magnate Sheldon Adelson’s, err, Dennis Jones’ legislative maneuvers
Rarely in Florida history has a piece of legislation been so crafted to benefit a specific special interest as has Sen Dennis Jones’ “Destination Resort” casino gambling bill.
S.B. 1708 was designed to help Sheldon Adelson and Las Vegas Sands, who are now under federal investigation for bribing officials in Macao to speed up approval of $1 billion worth of condos in their gaming complex in the Chinese State. Probes by the DOJ and SEC were announced last week.
The designation of five “regions” throughout the state is a move by Adelson, who is looking at several Miami sites, to block the Fountainbleu on Miami Beach and the Diplomat in Hallandale from operating casinos.
The requirements – a $50 million licensing fee, a $1 million non-refundable application fee, the commitment of Convention Center space, and a 1000 room hotel – would shut out Adelson’s less well-heeled competitors.
Adelson spent more then a $2 million in Republican political contributions, inaugural contributions, and lobbyists to get “his” bill.
Both Governor Rick Scott and Senate President Mike Haridoplos insist that any bill being contemplated include a local county referendum for expansion of gambling.
Senate President Mike Haridopolos has said there is a 50-50 chance of the bill coming to the floor. The huge capital requirements and “regions” in the bill are not likely to survive without major amendment. The Broward delegation will see to that.
The pari-mutuel lobbyists will fight the bill as witten since there is no expansion of games to their facilties in the bill. Adelson and his lobbyist Andy Abboud have been adamant about the pari-mutuels not being included in some kind of compromise bill. Abboud told Hialeah City officials the tracks would not benefit under the LVS plan. Continue reading this story from the Florida Clarion here.
