Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush says a casino could happen in Miami

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush fought long and hard to keep casino expansion out of the Sunshine State during his time in office.

He admitted Tuesday that times might be changing.

During a meeting with the Las Vegas Review-Journal Editorial Board, Bush said Florida’s Legislature might allow the expansion of casino gambling, beyond the state’s race track casinos and the casinos operated by the Seminole Indian tribe.

The lure of tax dollars from casinos may be driving the decision.

“I opposed gambling expansion, but I’m not governor anymore,” Bush said.

Bush added that Florida lawmakers meet in January and February, which would be the only time for the laws to be changed to allow new casinos.

Las Vegas Sands Corp. and Caesars Entertainment are both exploring building casino-resort complexes in the Miami area.

Meanwhile, Malaysia-based Genting Group spent almost $300 million in downtown Miami to secure some 30 acres for what it calls Resorts World Miami, a proposed $3 billion project. The company operates Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore and is expected to open a slot machine casino at New York’s Aqueduct Race Track this month.

“Genting made a pretty big play and they don’t even know if it’s going to happen,” Bush said.

If casino expansion is allowed, Bush speculates the legislature might favor the gaming properties being built in the southern part of state, including Miami’s Dade County and Broward County, which is home Fort Lauderdale.

Bush said northern Florida lawmakers oppose gambling expansion.

“The north will let the Heathens in the south have the casinos and they’ll take the benefits,” Bush said.