The Genting group has filed a lawsuit against Miami authorities because they still refuse to allow slots at Genting’s Resorts World Omni Center.
The Malaysian-based casino company owns a 30-acre property on Miami’s waterfront that features retail space, offices, a hotel and the Omni Center. But these holdings would be much-more profitable if Genting could complete their plan by adding slots and table games.
In 2014, Genting’s Resorts World Omni inked a deal with the Gulfstream Park Racetrack and Casino and a few other companies. Gulfstream Park then tried to relocate their non-profit, thoroughbred permit and slots/card-game license to the Omni Center.
Miami authorities rejected the deal, leading to the current lawsuit by Resorts World Omni. The lawsuit asked the judge to make it legal for Gulfstream to run a casino at the Omni.
As reported by The Edge Markets, “That order, if granted, would preclude Miami-Dade police and state prosecutors from filing criminal charges against the Omni casino operators.”
State prosecutors say that Gulfstream signed a one-year, $1 million lease with Resorts World in late April to rent space at the former shopping mall. The lawsuit, which was filed just 2 days later, uses this lease as part of the reason why the judge should rule in their favor.
Miami authorities have questioned what future plans Genting will have for the property. A developer anonymously told sources that he was shown the property, meaning Genting might soon sell it.
Genting denies showing anybody the complex, which allegedly happened after Florida refused to change its gambling laws in the 2016 legislative session.
It seems unlikely that a judge will rule in Genting’s favor because cities and states have the right to choose if they want gambling. However, the stakes appear high enough that the company is willing to try.