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Florida Port Limits Gambling Ships

PORT CANAVERAL, Florida – As reported by the Florida Today: "A majority of the five-member Canaveral Port Authority said no on Wednesday to allowing more gambling vessels there, fearing the area could someday turn into a gambling haven like Las Vegas or Biloxi, Miss. While wanting to promote commercial growth at the port, `there are other options other than a gaming vessel,' said Commissioner Ralph Kennedy.

"Kennedy, joined by port Commissioners Joe Matheny and Ray Sharkey, weren't persuaded by arguments that free enterprise should dictate whether or not more gambling ships should be allowed at the port, which already is home to a Sterling Casino Lines ship and one owned by SunCruz Casinos.

"Commissioners Tom Goodson and Rodney Ketcham supported a proposal that essentially would allow further talks on a new gambling ship at the port.

"The three members' decision didn't sit well with the two Port Canaveral lease-holders, who currently operate seafood businesses and wanted to turn the property over to the Pompano Beach-based Sea Diamond Gaming as a docking area for a third gambling ship.

"…Essentially, commissioners were voting on whether to allow Sea Diamond Gaming into the port by changing the authority's policy of having no more than two gambling vessels at the port.

"Ketcham, who chairs the authority, said he favored a narrow proposal that would allow Sea Diamond into the port, if for nothing else, as a matter of fairness.

"While there officially are only two gaming boats at Port Canaveral, Ketcham noted that all the commercial cruise lines -- with the exception of Disney -- allow gambling on their boats.

"Between them, both Lawrence and Bates hold leases -- each, with more than 10 years left on them -- on more than 300 feet of waterfront property.

"…Adding to fears about increased gambling ventures were other business owners testifying at the meeting that, if Bates and Lawrence were allowed to transfer their leases to a gambling venture, then others should also have the right to bring them in…"

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