Ongoing Lobbying Interference in the County on Behalf of Big Rollers, Here is a 2011 example. By Geniusofdespair

Yet another example of Mayor Gimenez meeting with unregistered lobbyists to discuss county business. Why were these individuals not cited? Are we naive to believe a veteran lobbyist such as Brian May did not know his group was violating established county guidelines that restrict lobbying activities? Why did the COE not cite the individuals or the mayor? Does anybody in the Mayor's Office bother to check if lobbyists are registered? Another example of internal corruption. I say this is yet another example because the mayor was investigated by ethics in 2015 for doing the same thing with Donald Trump on the Key Biscayne Public Golf course fiasco.  Of course, ethics never finds any violations. They are fluff in our Government always finding some nitpick technical excuse not to do anything.

Look who Brian May was representing in this instance, (in my opinion) it is the evil Las Vegas Sands' Sheldon Adelson, worth about 30 billion. He is the Koch brother of the Casino World. According to Forbes: 

Sheldon Adelson makes billions running Las Vegas Sands, America's largest casino company, and he uses that money to buy influence in the Republican Party. 

Look at the first two paragraphs of page 2 below.

January 3rd Buzzing at the Mall. By Geniusofdespair

Didn't people get the memo, you are supposed to shop BEFORE Christmas not after. The photos below were taken at 4pm at Aventura Mall. The whole mall was jumping but I just took two pictures on my way out.

Are you sure it is over Gimleteye? Where are you hanging out?

Meanwhile I have started gambling, playing Texas Holdem again and losing again. I had nothing but a bunch of "almost" hands. As I left the table I said "Everyone enjoy my money." They were all very cordial and chuckled. There was an hour and a half wait for the cheaper tables at the Isle Casino in Pompano. Everyone is looking for fun, whether it be shopping, gambling or watching football games. No one is enjoying nature that I could see but look where I was hanging out - in all the wrong places. An 89 year old woman was at the card table for 12 hours and wasn't enjoying much of anything, just taking up space so everyone else had to wait an hour and a half. Meanwhile, I played the slots after losing at cards (with $5) and made half my money back. I only play $40 at cards. If you get all $1 chips you look like you have a lot, even though I really wanted a red chip. People send me red chips please.

This November, will Florida voters decide to stamp out a culture of political criminality? … by gimleteye

It is not new but it is startling: periods when political criminality infects the public body, bubbling then necrotizing like small pox.

Voters are fascinated but do nothing until it gets SO BAD, so blatantly ugly, that they are roused to scrub, and scrub and scrub the spots out.

So state representative Erik Fresen -- Big Gambling billionaire Sheldon Adelson's BBF in the Florida legislature -- gets hit with a state ethics charge that sticks, remains in public office, and still takes a salary from a defunct business in violation of ANOTHER ethics rule while campaigning for re-election. WHO DOES THAT?

The answer is obviously someone who doesn't believe voters pay attention.

Gov. Rick Scott fails to report assets totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. His BFF, state attorney general Pam Bondi, just shrugs. Who cares?

In the months leading up to the Nov. 4th election, we learned that top GOP officials failed to report they had flown by private jet to exclusive and secret hunting trips funded by Big Sugar to the King Ranch in Texas. Gov. Scott appointed to the Public Service Commission Jimmy Patronis, the state legislator who lead the holy jihad against all manner of environmental regulations, more or less assuring that the state of Florida will officially not do anything about King Tides flooding the state, because -- well -- no one is paying attention.

They think no one is paying attention, and judging by past performance by voters, who can argue?

Miami-Dade voters play a very important role in state elections. Help reach out to our Republican friends and ask them to change their votes this mid-term election cycle. Do the state of Florida a solid: scrub out this culture of political criminality.

Las Vegas is hurting but not as bad as Atlantic City. By Geniusofdespair

Gambling is washed up, saturating the market at too many Cities in the U.S.:

Atlantic City's crumbling casino market disintegrated even further Saturday as the owners of the Trump Plaza casino in Atlantic City said they expect to shut down in mid-September.

Trump Entertainment Resorts told The Associated Press that no final decision has been made on the Boardwalk casino. But the company said it expects the casino to close its doors Sept. 16.

Don't miss this screening. By Geiusofdespair

I bet Genting people will be taking pictures.

Be Prepared For Some REAL Gambling Bullshit From the State Senate. By Geniusofdespair

In particular, we are interested in public reactions to the two-part “Florida Gambling Impact Study,” commissioned by the Florida Legislature earlier this year.  The study provides an independent and unbiased factual assessment of the social and economic impacts of gaming. - SENATOR GARRETT RICHTER

Who believes that one, independent and unbiased ??? Not me for a second.  Here is their memo to you citizen, what a crock of shit:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To: Community leaders and citizens

From: Senator Garrett Richter, Chair, Senate Gaming Committee

Subject: Invitation to public workshops

Date: October 10, 2013

THE FLORIDA SENATE COMMITTEE ON GAMING

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1100
(850) 487-5811

Senator Garrett Richter, Chair
Senator Maria Sachs, Vice Chair
Professional Staff: John Guthrie, Staff Director

Gaming Workshops Webpage:  Gaming is a well-established business sector in Florida with roots stretching back to the 1890s. In the past 25 years, gaming industries have been transformed, not just in Florida but all around the country. Pari-mutuel wagering has declined. The State Lottery, as well as cruises, card rooms, casinos, and “Internet cafes” have emerged. Meanwhile, Florida’s approach to regulating and taxing gaming activities has not kept pace, and the current layers of exceptions and patches are not working well to promote the state’s overall economic and social welfare.

During the 2014 Legislative Session, the Senate aims to replace the current makeshift structure with a comprehensive statewide approach to gaming policy.

In preparation for this important work, the Senate Gaming Committee is conducting public meetings across the state to listen to the views of as many citizens as possible. In particular, we are interested in public reactions to the two-part “Florida Gambling Impact Study,” commissioned by the Florida Legislature earlier this year. The study provides an independent and unbiased factual assessment of the social and economic impacts of gaming.

Understanding local perspectives and personal impacts is an instrumental component of public policy decisions that could impact the future of gaming in our state for generations. Community leaders and interested citizens are encouraged to add their testimony to the committee record by submitting comments in writing or speaking at a public workshop.

From the Senate’s “Gaming” web page , you can:

• Download a copy of the “Florida Gambling Impact Study.”

• Submit comments in writing.

• Access maps and directions for attending a public workshop.

• Register to speak at a public workshop (deadline for online requests is three days prior to workshop; those who miss the deadline and wish to speak may attend the workshop and fill out appearance cards onsite).

Four workshops are scheduled at locations across the state:  NOTE FROM GENIUS: THERE IS NO WORKSHOP SCHEDULED FOR MIAMI WHERE MOST OF THE GAMBLING WOULD OCCUR. Isn't that odd?)

Wednesday, October 23, 2013, 4:00 – 7:00 PM (Eastern)
Broward College, North Campus, OMNI Auditorium
1000 Coconut Creek Blvd, Coconut Creek, FL 33066
To be listed on the agenda, make request to speak on or before October 16, 2013

Wednesday, October 30, 2013, 3:00 – 6:00 PM (Eastern)
George Jenkins High School, Auditorium
6000 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland, FL 33813
To be listed on the agenda, make request to speak on or before October 23, 2013

Thursday, November 14, 2013, 1:30 – 4:30 PM (Central)
WSRE-TV Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio
1000 College Boulevard, Pensacola, FL 32504
To be listed on the agenda, make request to speak on or before November 7, 2013

Friday, November 15, 2013, 2:00 – 5:00 PM (Eastern)
Florida State College at Jacksonville Downtown Campus, Advanced Technology Center
401 W. State St., Jacksonville, FL 32202
To be listed on the agenda, make request to speak on or before November 8, 2013

In addition, the Senate Gaming Committee will meet in Tallahassee on November 4 and December 9 to hear more public and industry reactions to the “Florida Gambling Impact Study.”

Citizens are encouraged to attend the public workshops, share your perspectives, view meeting records (http://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/Show/GM), and track these important issues during the 2014 Session.

Genting Casino's Comes Up With A Day Trip Hard to Beat. By Geniusofdespair

I have never been to Bimini. If there is anything to do there, besides gamble, I would be tempted to take this trip that was advertised in a full-page ad in the Miami Herald. $49 for a day cruise including brunch and dinner seems like a good deal, that is, if you don't hit the casino. I would do the trip and maybe even spend $5 gambling. There is a a little star, however, you get socked with additional port fees and taxes of $20 per person. The 2 hour cruise they promised is actually 2 1/2 hours according to the ad. Anyway, Genting will be a household name in Miami soon, not just in Malaysia. Still don't think they are going to get gamblers to Bimini -- the boat leaves before noon. They might get people like me out for a joy ride. The night cruise is even a better deal if you don't mind staying up all night -- $49 for a couple, unless you are a gay couple (only ladies ride free).

What Kind of Scheme is Being Hatched at the County? By Geniusofdespair

Lynda Bell is one of Mayor Gimenez's new BFF's. As I reported Recently Gimenez is holdling a fundraiser for Lynda Bell, the Commissioner in district 8. Why does Gimenez 'owe' Lynda? Do Mayor's usually hold fundraisers? They might endorse...but a fundraiser?

Lynda Bell was instrumental in getting rid of Frank Nero from the Beacon Council -- a hatchet woman of sorts. For the Mayor? For herself? I don't know. I think it was Nero's stance against gambling that finally did him in. Helping Lynda Bell with the character assassination on Nero was Carlos Gimenez's other buddy, Jorge Luis Lopez. He was a confidant of Gimenez during Gimenez's Mayoral campaign.

Bookends: Jorge Luis Lopez and Mayor Carlos Gimenez

Surprisingly (to you, not to me) Jorge Luis Lopez, an oft critical board member of the Beacon Council's former head, came out with a Miami Herald OpEd about the Beacon Council. Is he getting ready to take the reigns or will it be Jack Osterholtz that steps in? Anyway, I was expecting this to happen, just not so soon after Bell's trip to see the Genting casino in Singapore.

It all ties together.

Lopez says, in the Herald article, that the $90 million Economic Development fund should be used to refurbish the urban core and make infrastructure improvements. The $90 million economic development fund was supposed to be used as a catalyst to induce job producing private sector investment. Guess that isn't going to happen now.

One warning to Luis about predicting that Miami Dade would become an innovative hub, not sure this will happen. When Luis talks about building on successful technology and innovation he should also take into account that these sort of start-ups fail most of the time and those that do make it do NOT usually provide the type and number of jobs our community currently requires. The start-up technology businesses that do succeed take years to develop and are few and far between. Also, if they are successful, they are bought by larger companies and relocated.  How many long term jobs can we count on?

Lopez says that "new ideas in economic expansion must take root in government led by new expertise in the county mayor's office with increased focus on these strategies." So does that mean the Mayor's office is taking over the Beacon Council? When has government ever been the innovator for "new ideas" for economic development? Are we giving up on business recruitment to our County?

When did Lopez become an economist and strategic thinker? What next? Lynda Bell running for Governor? Eddie Borrego pit boss at the new Genting Casino?

Genting will never stop with the gambling pressure. By Geniusofdespair

Does the Miami Herald parent company give a hoot about the community? No. If they did they wouldn't have sold the land to Genting.  Read this article about gambling's impact on a community by Frank Nero. On the gambling issue (Nero was too vocal) and Lynda Bell (who is reportedly on a trip to Genting's casino in Singapore) took the opportunity to do him in:

With the Legislature recently outlawing Internet cafes, it underscores more then ever the need to have an objective, unbiased public debate on the true impact of the proposal to expand legalized casino gambling in Florida.

Issues associated with the Internet cafe debate pale in comparison to the myriad and complexity of issues the state must evaluate as officials consider the many advantages and disadvantages of expanded casino gambling.

The proponents of expanded casino gambling cite job growth, additional tourism, increasing business and tax revenues, and decreasing the local community tax burden as the economic benefits of casino gambling. Less often mentioned are the costs of crime, compulsive gambling, erosion of work ethic, traffic congestion, infrastructure improvements, and other “social costs.”

The key issue is: Will the expansion of casino gambling in Miami-Dade and other counties hinder or foster economic development in Florida?

There is no question the casinos and projects associated with gambling will prosper, but are there economic benefits for the community as a whole resulting in noncasino job creation? Will casinos draw from other venues and sectors? Before the state and local governments agree to support the expansion of gambling, as attractive as the proposals may seem, an objective dialogue must evaluate the potential short- and long-term impacts on Florida. Among the key issues that should be examined and considered:

• Land speculation could inflate prices of real estate and appraised value of land around the casino development, ensuring that no one could afford to buy or rent near the property. Many merchants may have to find locations elsewhere. Residential displacement for low- and moderate-housing could be an end result.

• Employment. Only employees who have been trained to work in casinos will be able to get the higher-paying, skilled jobs at casinos. Few locals are trained for these jobs currently. No casino should open unless and until the local workforce can be identified and trained.

• Regulatory requirements. Will employees with criminal records be allowed to work at the casinos? What controls are needed? How can we ensure that local companies are equitably represented as casino vendors and service providers?

• Cannibalization of current local business. Destination resorts often have a negative impact on neighboring businesses because consumers are encouraged to stay in the resort to spend their money instead of going out to local restaurants, merchants, and other venues.

• The social costs. Who pays for the social costs of alcoholism, gambling addiction, prostitution, organized and street crime? The price of these “social costs” is usually vastly underestimated by local government.

• Traffic and costs associated with new infrastructure. Who pays?

Also, what impact, if any would casinos have on tourism, economic development and district revitalizations?

History shows that the state is usually the major beneficiary of new tax revenues, while local governments receive proportionately less and usually assume most of the costs. What are the recent tax models adopted by other states with casinos?

There are also questions about issuing a “temporary license” to open before being fully vetted.

And what impact would a new casino have on current pari-mutuels and the potential loss of tax revenue and jobs they generate? Do casinos support a prospective image of Florida as a diversified international business platform in addition to tourism? Also, would the local governments affected by gambling have an input relative to casino regulation and economic investment requirements or would this fall only on the state?

There must be an objective and thorough analysis — not paid for by the casinos or any other “partners” invested in gambling. I recommend that Gov. Rick Scott develop a blue ribbon committee to work in concert with the Legislature and local governments in evaluating this issue. This independent study should encompass, but not be limited to, the issues outlined above.

The thrust of this study should focus on both the potential positive and negative economic and social impacts that destination casino gambling would bring to Florida.

I recommend that hearings on this issue be conducted throughout Florida.

Allied Veterans Contributions To Miami-Dade Legislators. By Geniusofdespair

Taking a big hit in this scandal, Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll resigned.

The Miami Herald did a good job of looking up all the contributions of that phony charity/gambling group, "Allied Veterans of the World" accused of racketeering.  I started to do the campaign account/PAC/ CCE research on Allied but it was so time consuming looking at PAC's etc., I just gave up. This is why you need to support your newspaper....they have paid staff that can tediously comb through public records.  From their research I have culled out a few of Miami's legislative beneficiaries of the dirty funds:

Florida Democratic Party $244,000
Florida Republican Party $533,829 (Not on line but in paper)

Who should know better:
David Aronberg $20,000
Mike Fasano $2,500

Miami:

Artiles, Frank: $17,500
Diaz de la DePortilla, Miguel: $69,500
Nunez, Jeanette $4,000, $1,000
Bullard, Dwight $3,000
Fresen, Erik $3,000
Margolis, Gwen $4,000
Garcia, Rene $3,000
Gibbons, Joseph “Joe” $2,500
Braynon, Oscar $500
Trujillo, Carlos $500
Flores, Anitere $500

Go to the link above for the disclosure list of all who received contributions.

You might think this is the end of this but another one of these "charities" is now being investigated for illegal gambling:

"Fresh off a nearly $300 million racketeering case involving a veterans’ charity that benefited from simulated gambling at Internet cafes, Florida regulators will investigate a children’s cancer group connected to a sweepstakes network that is four times bigger."

"In exchange for the money that has flowed into the Children’s Cancer Cooperative from the cafes, the charity’s name is listed as sponsoring sweepstakes prizes offered at the cafes, giving players the impression money lost on the fast-moving games mimicking Vegas-style slots goes to help sick kids."

These people have no shame using both sick kids and veterans while buying influence and lining their own pockets. The Miami Herald said: "Authorities say they (Allied Veterans) collected a combined $300 million in profits since 2007 but paid out only 2 percent — about $6 million — to charities."

Looks like all Mayor Regalado support for maquinitas is for naught. According to the Herald the House voted to ban them:

The Florida House on Friday voted 110 to 6 for a bill aimed at shutting down Internet cafes, adult arcades and Miami’s “maquinitas.”

Biscayne Times Rocks with Their Miami Casino Article. By Geniusofdespair

Photo I took in Las Vegas. Are we ready for Casino wars here in Miami?

Don't miss The Battle to Bring Casinos to Miami Didn't go Away, It just Went Underground.  Biscayne Times' Erik Bojnansky wrote:

“The reason Genting is concentrating on Florida is two-fold,” says John Kindt, a business professor at the University of Illinois and a fierce critic of casino gambling. “One, they think they can do it, that Florida will succumb to the onslaught of money they’re bringing to the table. The other reason is that Florida is a plum to be picked, with billions of dollars in tourist money that Genting can take out of the state forever.”

The article names supporters, lobbyists, funding, Pac's and identifies which politicians got money from Genting and other gambling interests. I am very interested to know where casino money is going. It is all there: A primer on the issue for beginners and political wonks alike. I am going to keep the link to this article for my own research in the future. And, you can bet on it,  there will be a future for the destination gambling issue, just ask Bojansky:

"With billions of dollars at stake, Genting and other casino operators will never give up."

Odds and Ends on Monday: Genting takes a pass, Stand Your Ground empties sanity from the Florida GOP ... by gimleteye

Imagine a business where you can spend (more like, park) $500 million on real estate in downtown Miami and not expect a return on investment. It is kind of like the government. That's how rich and powerful the gambling industry is.

Now comes news that Genting's plan for a mega development at the former Miami Herald site will not materialize any time soon. The lobbyists who sucked all the oxygen out of Tallahassee (and Miami) a year ago to advance the legalized casino plan are taking a step back. 

An election year is never a good time to push hard in Florida on the casino issue. Or gun control. Or common sense.

Leonard Pitts had a great OPED in the Herald on Saturday, "Dumbing down America one child at a time". Pitts shakes his head at the disappearance of common sense in the GOP, citing the example of the Texas GOP that "... has set itself explicitly against teaching children to be critical thinkers. Never mind the creeping stupidization of this country, the growing dumbification of our children, our mounting rejection of, even contempt for, objective fact. Never mind educators who lament the inability of American children to think, to weigh conflicting paradigms, analyze competing arguments, to reason, ruminate, question and reach a thoughtful conclusion. Never mind that this promises the loss of our ability to compete in an ever more complex and technology-driven world."

With our "Stand Your Ground" law, the Florida GOP is not far behind its brothers in Texas. Never has been. This calls into focus the results of a Tampa Bay Times analysis of shootings tied to "Stand Your Ground" defense; showing that an astounding "60 percent of those who claimed self-defense had been arrested at least once before the day they killed someone. More than 30 of those defendants, about 1 in 3, had been accused of violent crimes..."

So there you have it: the Florida GOP gives a whole new meaning to criminal rights. I can hear the hemming and hawing, but my friends in the GOP: you can't pin this one on a liberal conspiracy. No, sirree, Republicans did this one all by themselves. Vote Republican and vote for the rights of criminals. (click 'read more', for the Pitts OPED)

Make Art Not Casinos. By Geniusofdespair

I went to the "Make Art Not Casinos" event at Wynwood Walls. I spoke briefly to both Tony Goldman and Norman Braman, yes Norman Braman wore a T-Shirt at the event.  The video above will give you a feeling for the event. Surprisingly the music was really good and the Wynwood Wall location was fantastic for a big crowd, there was room to stroll and look at the walls.  Most of the people there were 20 to 40 years old for a change.  Nice to see younger people caring. Here is what Make Art not Casinos said about the event:

Make Art Not Casinos – a grassroots Miami initiative started by local residents Brian Ehrlich, Rodrigo B. Gonzalez, Stuart Kennedy and Mayur Patel – teams up with Goldman Properties’ visionary CEO Tony Goldman and NOCASINOS.org to host an evening centered around celebrating Miami’s creative community.

Erik Fresen did a Bad Job: Gambling Bill Dead in the House. By Geniusofdespair

The Florida House Subcommittee on Business and Consumer Affairs today, wouldn't move forward with the Destination Resorts Bill. They temporarily postponed it. The chair said if it is "Temporarily Postponed" there would be no opportunity to hear it before 2013.

Grace Solares gave a great speech against casinos. Thank you Grace. Here is a video of her speaking. It is choppy because the State of Florida's tape did not work correctly. It stopped intermittently. Even thought I watched it a few times, it didn't get better. This is as good as I could get.  Link to video.


Better luck next year Genting.

The Members of the committee are:

America's Most Miserable Cities: Miami is Number One! by gimleteye

As a chronicler of Miami's chronic deficits, I can't quibble with Forbes Magazine's new designation of Miami as America's most miserable city. The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce has more goo to wipe off its shoes in the sand. (The Chamber might want to look into putting goo removal dispensers next to the glass of water when the board meets.) And what about the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation whose leadership long professed to invest wisely in charitable causes to promote the city's cultural and social development.

Forbes looked at "10 factors for the 200 largest metro areas and divisions in the U.S. Some are serious, like violent crime, unemployment rates, foreclosures, taxes (income and property), home prices and political corruption." Ah, that. Forbes notes, "A whopping 364,000 properties in the Miami area have entered the foreclosure process since 2008, according to RealtyTrac. The number of foreclosure filings slowed in Miami and across the country last year, but the housing market is far from a comeback."

And still, the Miami Dade Expressway Authority (MDX) and its lobbyist-studded cast of directors is moving to put infrastructure in place for more crappy subdivisions to be built by the nomenklatura. By that metric, Miami Dade excels.

The horrendous deal-- approved by county commissioners like Joe Martinez-- for the Marlins Stadium is duly noted. And Joe Martinez believes he can be elected Miami Dade Mayor.

The only good piece of news for the day: the Florida legislature may not be able to summon the political will to approve full scale gambling for Miami. The measure pushed by one of Miami's challenged politicians, Erik Fresen who is also head of the county GOP, may not make it out of committee. On a day of bad news, that would be a ray of sunshine.

Gambling: The deals in each State, Florida is among the worst. By Geniusofdespair

I put the States in order of when they allowed gambling from the earliest,  Colorado in 1931 to the latest, Maryland in 2008.  If you follow along you will see the deals for each State. You will also see that the deals get better and better because we know just how much money these casinos generate. The lowest rates are for the first two States to approve gambling.

In any event, look at this list and tell me why Florida is going to go backwards and take LESS money then other States, the lowest rate except for the early States. Following my list is an open letter to the two asses in the legislature pushing this low rate.  Sergio Campos wrote them the letter.

Nevada
Legalization date 1931
State gaming tax rate - Graduated tax rate with a maximum tax of 6.75% on gross gaming revenue; additional fees and levies may be imposed by counties, municipalities and the state adding approximately 1% to the tax burden

New Jersey
Legalization date 1976
State gaming tax rate - 8% tax on gross gaming revenue, plus a community investment alternative obligation of 1.25% of gross gaming revenue (or an investment alternative 2.5% on gross gaming revenue)

South Dakota - Legalization date 1989
State gaming rate - 9% tax on gross gaming revenue; gaming device tax ($2,000 per machine per year)

Iowa - Legalization date 1989
State gaming rate - Graduated tax rate with a maximum of up to 22%

Colorado - Legalization date 1990
State gaming tax rate - Graduated 20% max

Illinois - Legalization date 1990
State gaming tax rate - Graduated from 15% to 50% of gross gaming revenue

Mississippi - Legalization date 1990
State gaming tax rate - Graduated tax of 8% on gaming revenues; up to 4% additional tax on gaming revenues may be imposed by local governments 

Louisiana - Legalization date 1991
State gaming tax rate - Riverboat Casinos: 21.5%1; Land-based casino: $60 million annual tax or 21.5% of gross gaming revenue, whichever is greater; Racinos: 18% of gross gaming revenue paid to horsemen; 18.5% of net to state taxes and 4% to local parish

1Riverboat casinos pay an additional 4 percent to 6 percent to local governing authorities under the terms of “local boarding fee” agreements.

Rhode Island - Legalization date 1992
State gaming rate - 27.33%1
1FY 2010 data was used to calculate the percentage of revenue retained by operator.

Indiana - Legalization date 1993
State gaming tax rate - Riverboat and land-based casinos: Graduated tax rate from 15% to 40% of gross gaming revenue; $3 per patron admissions tax; Racinos: Graduated slot tax from 25% to 35% of gross gaming revenue

Missouri - Legalization date 1993
State gaming tax rate - 21% tax on gross gaming revenue; $2 per patron admission fee, per excursion, split between home dock community and the state.

Delaware -Legalization date 1994
Revenue retained by operator 42.21%

West Virginia -Legalization date 1994
Revenue retained by operator 45.89%

Michigan -Legalization date 1996
State gaming tax rate - For permanent facilities: 19% tax on gross gaming revenue (10.9% to city of Detroit, 8.1% to state of Michigan); state and municipal service fees also are levied annually

New Mexico - Legalization date 1997
State gaming rate - 26% tax on gross gaming revenue; 20% to purse supplements; 0.25% to fund disordered gambling treatment and awareness

New York -Legalization date 2001
Revenue retained by operator - 33.47% - New York gets 66.53%

Maine - Legalization date 2004
State gaming tax rate - 1% tax on handle, or the amount wagered; 39% tax on gross gaming revenue; 3% tax on gross gaming revenue to the city of Bangor 

Oklahoma - Legalization date 2004
State gaming tax rate - Graduated state tax from 10-30% on gross gaming revenue; 9% tax to state racing commission, varying payments to horsemen, breeders and purses depending on track gaming revenues.

Pennsylvania - Legalization date 2004
State gaming tax rate - Slot machines: 34% to state gaming fund, 12% to horse racing industry, 5% to economic development, 4% to local and county governments; Table games: 16% tax - 14% to general fund, 2% to local county municipalities

Florida - Legalization date 2006  (They are going to reduce this rate for Racinos)
State gaming tax rate - 42.79% (3)

3- This figure only represents what operators retain after state taxes are collected. It does not take into account what operators allocate to horse and dog breeders funds, local authorities and public gambling awareness. Thus, the percentage of revenue retained by operators is actually significantly lower than this 50 percent figure.

Kansas - Legalization date 2007
State gaming tax rate - 22% state tax, 3% local government tax and 2% tax to fund problem gambling treatment

Maryland - Legalization date 2008
Revenue retained by operator - 33% - Maryland get 67%

Following is the open letter from Sergio Campos, questioning the 10% gambling deal, sent to Rep. Fresen and Senator Bogdanoff (Mr. Campos says that he is a retired Financial Analyst/Budget analyst with over 47 years experience):

Norman Braman talks about gambling on Dylan Rattigan Show. by Geniusofdespair

January 27th - Auto Dealer, Billionaire Norman Braman talks about the effect gambling will have on Miami.



Really good point comes at 1:00 on the counter....and another at 2:50 on the counter.

If you are on a phone use this link.

Another View on Gambling: Wrong-Headed as Economic Fix. By Geniusofdespair

Following are excerpts from a New York Times OpED by Paul Davies, a journalist and a fellow at the Institute for American Values, he edits an anti-gambling blog:

The governor of New York, Andrew M. Cuomo, is sending his state down the same wrongheaded path as other states that are trying to gamble their way out of economic trouble by legalizing commercial casinos.

The casinos might create jobs and generate revenue for state coffers, but those gains would come at a cost that casino supporters ignore or play down. Various studies, including research by the economist Earl L. Grinols at Baylor University, have shown that casinos produce little to no economic spinoff and in fact divert spending away from surrounding businesses like restaurants, movie theaters and live entertainment. In the worst cases, some problem gamblers spend money that is needed for groceries, rent or child support.

More broadly, casinos are nothing more than a regressive tax that extracts wealth from the very citizens who can least afford it.

Florida, Illinois, Kentucky and Maine are among the states considering similar moves to raise revenue. It is all part of a broader gambling expansion that includes efforts to legalize Internet gambling at the federal level and in several states. New Jersey wants to legalize sports betting.

Thirty years ago, Las Vegas and Atlantic City were the only legal casino destinations in the country. But over the last few decades there has been a steady increase in lottery offerings, riverboat casinos and gambling on Indian reservations. Today, 41 states have some form of casino gambling, and all but 7 have a lottery.

Governor Cuomo is correct that New York — which has a state lottery, casinos on Indian reservations and video lottery terminals at the Aqueduct Racetrack — is already in the gambling business. Many New Yorkers also travel to Atlantic City, Pennsylvania and Connecticut to gamble. But making gambling even more convenient to residents is not the answer to the state’s budget or unemployment woes. Lawmakers are sworn to protect residents, not make it easier for them to lose money.

The economist Paul A. Samuelson described gambling as the “sterile transfer of money or goods between individuals, creating no new money or goods.” Warren E. Buffett called gambling a “tax on ignorance.” Governor Cuomo’s father, Mario, himself a former governor, understood the negative impact. “There is a respectable body of economic thought that holds that casino gambling is actually economically regressive to a state and a community,” he wrote in a 1994 book, “The New York Idea.”

From his website: 21 Reasons to get governments out of gambling.

Angry at My Political Party over Gambling Donations. By Geniusofdespair

 

As a registered Republican -- yes again -- I am mad that, according to the Miami Herald, my party took in $628,000 from Genting (I would suppose to distribute to candidates without the gambling taint of a direct deposit to the candidates). In fact my Florida Pubs took in $2 million from gaming. Shit!  The article also says that Shill Rep. Erik Fresen wants a citizen vote on on gambling. Why not? They will lie about jobs and get the vote they need - they already polled on it.

Well, I did my own research on my old party --  since 10/03/2011 those damn State Dems took in almost $100,000 from Genting, $105,000 from the Seminole tribe, $45 from Hartman & Tyner, Inc. -- $250,000 total from gambling, so they ain't no saints either. As an aside, the Dems also took in $45,000 from Florida Crystals.  Why is Genting so generous? Because Florida is offering them  the most lucrative deal of any of the other U.S. States except Nevada and New Jersey and those deals were forged decades ago. They must be laughing at our dumb Florida politicians for putting together a sweetheart deal for them.

There was a good commentary on gambling downtown in yesterday's paper by Daniel Shoer Roth. He makes some excellent points:

In no other world-class city are casinos located in the heart of the financial district, except in Las Vegas, which is a city mainly devoted to gambling. Even in Malaysia, where Genting is based, the company’s flagship casino is located 30 miles northeast of Kuala Lumpur on top of a hill.

These downtown casinos not only will occupy the land they have acquired, but they will also invade public spaces.

Shoer Roth contends Genting will have to take over close to 6 acres of city streets, in addition to the 13.9 they own, to make their project happen.

Watch Gimleteye's video post yesterday (below).

Just Say "No" to Casinos ... by gimleteye

Apparently Armando Codina is stepping in a half-hearted way against casinos. According to Miami Today, Codina now takes the public position that a casino in downtown Miami cannot be built by Genting without massive traffic impacts. Codina suggests that Genting should pay for the traffic infrastructure upgrade needed. Heck, Armando: we can't even complete an off ramp on North Miami Avenue to the Design District. We can't even figure out how people are going to get to the new Marlins Stadium by car or public transit. Anyone who has read this blog knows our view about the pitiful traffic pattern of downtown Miami, including the insertion of the Performing Arsht Center and the Heat Arena and the new Museum named for Jorge Perez. Yes with failing to plan for traffic, Miami shoots itself in the foot better than any other city in America. But casinos should be rejected in Miami. Period. Watch the video.