Genting leading the way

ALTHOUGH gambling has been put on hold for the moment in Florida, it hasn’t stopped lawyers trying to reap the benefit of the lucrative gambling industry. The push to approve Las Vegas style gambling hotspots was sparked by Malaysia-based Genting Group. It bought the giant waterfront Miami Herald property in downtown Miami for $236 million and announced it wants to build a mega-resort casino on the site.

Even though proposed legislation died, Genting’s effort to bring destination resort gambling to Florida has just begun.

To accomplish its goal, Genting hired two South Florida law firms for its real estate, zoning and land-use work. At Akerman Senterfitt, managing partner Neisen Kasdin represented Genting in its land acquisitions and continues to handle its land-use, zoning, environmental and permitting needs. “There are still ongoing site development issues,” Kasdin said. Genting also hired Al Dotson and Vicki Garcia-Toledo at Bilzin Sumberg in Miami to handle land-use and development-rights issues related to its downtown Miami property.

Of course, Genting also hired a team of lobbyists across the state to gain approval for casino legislation in Tallahassee. This means that whilst Genting figures out their next move, the lawyers will also be circling.

The Financial Times reported: Yet casino opponents were not appeased. “This battle is so far from over,” said Dan Gelber, a former member of the Florida Senate who is now lobbying against casinos. “This is going to be a battle for the next two years and a battle we can’t afford to lose.”

It also referred to gaming giants frantically looking for new markets. The Financial Times reported:  

Genting says gambling is just a part of its project, which will also include family-friendly attractions. “Gaming is a small part of an integrated resort,” said Jesse Manzano-Plaza, vice-president of government relations for Resorts World Miami.

Genting boldly claims that it still has its eye on developing a $500m site on the Miami waterfront with or without a gaming component. This means that Genting will still try and legalise casino gaming in Florida, with another attempt coming as soon as 2014. “We’re still on the drawing board,” said Mr Manzano-Plaza.