Poll shows 75% favor a Miami casino

A recent press release from the trade group touts the results of a survey completed by audience members at a casino forum. The result: more than 75 percent of those filling out the questionnaire checked “yes” on the question of whether casino resorts would be good for the area. About 160 people attend the forum. The Chamber release notes an earlier questionnaire at a different Chamber event produced similar results.

The gambling issue has brought a more immediate change to the Chamber, which lobbies for business interests across Miami-Dade. On Monday, the Malaysian casino developer Genting Group took ownership of the Omni office and hotel complex, which includes the Chamber headquarters.

Genting acquired the us$ 206 million mortgage on the Omni complex shortly after its May purchase of the adjoining Miami Herald headquarters. Genting wants to open a us$ 3.8 billion casino resort on the land, and open a casino in the Omni space while it builds the larger Resorts World Miami around it.

In a statement, the Chamber said it continues exploring options for a new headquarters. Its lease at the Omni location expires in 2014. The Herald struck a deal with Genting to remain rent-free at its waterfront headquarters through May 2013.