Resolution 2018-30382 RESOLUTION 2018-30382
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, REAFFIRMING THE CITY'S LONGSTANDING
POLICY AGAINST GAMBLING, AND STRONGLY OPPOSING THE PROPOSED
EXPANSION OF GAMBLING OPERATIONS IN THE CITY OF MIAMI, WHICH
WOULD BRING A POKER ROOM AND JAI ALAI FRONTON TO THE HISTORIC
EDGEWATER NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE PROSPECT OF FUTURE SLOT
MACHINE OPERATIONS; AND, FURTHER, SUPPORTING LEGISLATIVE
EFFORTS BY THE CITY OF MIAMI TO CONTROL OR PROHIBIT ALL FUTURE
EXPANSIONS OF GAMBLING.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach ("City") has a longstanding policy against gambling, as
evidenced by Resolution Nos. 2018-30199, 2017-29846, 2014-28529, 2011-27812, 2008-26927, and
2008-26925; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Ordinance Nos. 2017-4104, 2017-4105, and 2017-4125, the City
Commission has prohibited casino and gambling uses and operations in all zoning districts and future
land use categories in the City; and
WHEREAS, in recent weeks, a South Florida pari-mutuel interest received a permit from the
Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering to operate a poker room and jai alai fronton in the heart of the
historic Edgewater neighborhood located in the City of Miami; and
WHEREAS, historically, the pari-mutuel industry regularly seeks to expand its pari-mutuel
operations into slot machine operations; and
WHEREAS, the negative economic and social effects of gambling operations far outweigh the
potential revenues that may be generated in our community; and
WHEREAS, any new gambling operations in South Florida, especially in such dose proximity to
the City of Miami Beach, could damage the City's brand and image, and could cause irreparable harm
to the City's quality of life for its residents, businesses, and visitors; and
WHEREAS, any expansion of gambling operations in South Florida would have a detrimental
impact not only on the City, but the neighborhoods surrounding the proposed gaming facilities, which
have taken many years to transform into the thriving business, cultural, art, shopping, and residential
destinations of the Design District, Wynwood, and the Edgewater District.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission hereby reaffirm the
City's longstanding policy against gambling, and strongly oppose the proposed expansion of gambling
operations in the City of Miami, which would bring a poker room and jai alai fronton to the historic
Edgewater neighborhood and the prospect of future slot machine operations; and, further, hereby
support legislative efforts by the City of Miami to control or prohibit all future expansions of gambling.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 17th day of July, 2018.
ATTEST: �� QF,9 r
Dan Gelber, Mayor
2.e b1Y
Rafael . Grana o, City Clerk lNCoaFw rl o
1' APPROVED AS TO
S onsored byMayor Dan Gelber) �� FO -- n GUAGE
( p Y .�, �� • ECUTION
iN Attorney e