Regulators in the state of Florida have postponed a gambling permit transfer from Miami’s Magic City Casino to a Tribe in Alabama, according to a Miami Herald Report. The delay has stalled a multimillion-dollar deal between West Flagler Associates and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
The Tribe operates Wind Creek Miami and is currently waiting on the green light from the Florida Gaming Control Commission to transfer its gambling license.
The Miami Herald reported that five commission members held a meeting in Tallahassee and determined to postpone the transfer until the company “decides to disclose more information to the public.”
Members based the decision on the lack of documentation provided during the application process. The companies that submitted the application excluded 103 of the 110 pages needed for proper public disclosure.
Commission Chairman John MacIver told the Miami Herald that he has reviewed the omitted documents and said the public would not be opposed to the bulk of the redacted material once it is disclosed.
He said: “My concern here is with the sunshine aspects of this. We cannot take any action as a collegial body without an opportunity for the public to provide meaningful input.
“The level of meaningful input that is appropriate is something that belongs to the public to decide. Because there is some question about an over-redaction of the material, what is very likely not relevant to any legitimate opposition, material is probably redacted, but the general public has a right to see that material before we take any action.”
In response to the decision, West Flagler Associates’ and Wind Creek’s attorney, John Lockwood, requested the commission return soon to make a final decision and said that he “will work with the commission and with the staff to provide a less redacted document.”
