The commission was established “to really elevate the public discussion and bring out in the forefront these types of decisions that are made about the gambling industry in our state,” Sowinski said. Thursday’s meeting agenda also included a four-page memorandum written by commission staff members recommending approval of the license transfer.īut John Sowinski, president of the advocacy group No Casinos Inc., urged the commission to postpone a decision until the public had an opportunity to more closely scrutinize the deal in what will be one of the panel’s first major tests. is seeking permission to sell for an undisclosed sum the casino’s permit to Wind Creek Miami, LLC, a “wholly owned subsidiary” of PCI Gaming Authority, Inc., which is owned by the Alabama-based Poarch Creeks, according to an application posted on the commission website.Īll but two pages of the 103-page application were redacted.

Magic City’s owner - West Flagler Associates, Ltd.

The casino includes a cardroom and slot machines. The Havenick family has operated the Miami casino since 1931, when gambling was at its heyday in Florida. TALLAHASSEE - Florida gambling regulators on Thursday refused to sign off on the sale of Magic City Casino, one of the state’s oldest pari-mutuels, to the Poarch Creek Indians, bowing to objections that the public needs to know more about the transaction before final action is taken.īut the Florida Gaming Control Commission, which was created in 2021, could authorize the transfer of ownership before the end of the year, as requested by the pari-mutuel’s lawyer, John Lockwood. State regulators say redacted materials likely do not contain objectionable material but nevertheless postponed approval to allow time for more review.The anti-gambling group No Casinos objected to the sale because not enough information about the deal has been made public.The deal would transfer ownership of the casino from West Flagler Associates to the Poarch Creek Indian tribe.State gaming regulators postponed a decision on the sale of Magic City Casino on Thursday.

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