A developer in Miami is currently planning a huge project called the 'Miami World Center'.  It will consist of entertainment, hotels and residences.  But that's not all.  While the project is in it's early planning stages, they are hoping they will have plenty of time to get full Class III gaming (blackjack, craps, roulette) approved for the area as well.  They are hoping to get it on a ballot in 2010. 

The plan calls for limited Class III licenses for Miami-Dade and Broward.  It would include the pari-mutuals that currently have slot machines and would add the Fontainebleau Hotel on Miami Beach along with a casino in the Miami World Center.  The plan also calls for a more 'normal' tax base for these casinos so they can thrive and give back to the community (currently they are taxed at 50%).  In this tough economy, these 'upscale' casinos just might be what the area needs.  They wouldn't be geared to locals (which many argue the current pari-mutual 'racinos' are) but rather the more 'upscale' tourist. 

With the tourism landscape still changing Florida needs to explore it's options to stay ahead and keep appealing to all kinds of tourists.  South Florida could be a Vegas alternative so those on the east coast of the US.  Not the overbuilt Vegas with casinos on every corner, but rather a place to hit the beach and try your luck.

Many people argue that this is the only way to compete with the Seminoles which almost seem to have a monopoly on gaming here in the state.  Their casinos are nicely done and pack them in even before they offered blackjack.  This is mostly tax free revenue too.