April 29th,2013~~Continued from main page (Flyover) The marketing blitz against the state's $80 million plan to build a bridge that will allow 17-92 to "fly over" 436 is being mounted by Richard Birdoff, president of the company that owns Orlando Jai-Alai. He said the flyover will reduce the access that motorists have to his business and others at the intersection. "I believe I've got a good chance" of stopping the flyover, Birdoff said by phone from his office in New York City. "I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't." During a meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at the jai-alai fronton, Birdoff will present an alternative that includes widening 17-92 and adding turn lanes, a landscaped median and an access road. Birdoff, who said several nearby property owners have joined him in opposing the flyover, has invited the public as well as local lawmakers. A plan to relieve congestion at the intersection used by 110,000 vehicles a day has been in the works since the late 1990s. Funding for the flyover, which will cost about $23 million to build, was approved last year. In addition to the cost of the bridge, the state has spent about $60 million buying property. Crews are expected to begin work later this year. Florida Department of Transportation spokesperson Steve Olson said that plans to build the flyover are moving ahead because it's the best option for handling traffic at the intersection, which has about 85 accidents a year. Until crews begin work, there's a possibility that plans could still be changed because "dirt is not turning on that corridor," Olson said. But changing the bridge project is unlikely at this point, said Bob Dallari, the Seminole County Commission chairman and vice chairman of MetroPlan, the regional board that sets transportation policy in Central Florida. "It's going to be a flyover," he said. Dallari dismissed Birdoff's alternative plan, which was prepared by traffic engineers, saying that although it might reduce the traffic that clogs the intersection during rush hour, it won't solve the problem. "You want a real fix or you want a temporary fix?" Dallari said. "Flyovers do work." Casselberry City Manager Randy Newlon said the city will go along with the plans that FDOT thinks will efficiently move traffic, whether they involve a flyover or not. Whatever happens, Newlon said, the city doesn't want to jeopardize the progress that has been made. "We expect FDOT to get this project done now," Newlon said. "They need to lead." Birdoff's opposition to the flyover isn't new. Last year Birdoff, whose company owns more than 50 acres near the intersection, met with DOT officials to present an alternative plan for the roadway. He acknowledges that traffic is a problem, but building a flyover, which Birdoff says will cost $10 million more than the plan designed by his consultants, would be "overkill."

April,2013 Foronda Signed, Gorrono Retires Present Fort Pierce Frontcourter Foronda has agreed to terms and will re-join the Dania roster at the age of thirty-four for the start of the Summer Season which begins with the Wednesday evening May 1st performance. The former Dania Most Wins Champion for the Summer of 2004 and 2005/2006 Winter Meet as well as winner of the Campeonato during the 2004 Summer Season previously played six seasons from the Summer of 2003 through the 2006 Summer Meet. Following 2006, Foronda played in the Basque Country until returning to the States in 2010 to join the Orlando roster. The signing of Foronda was possible with the retirement of Gorrono who last played in November of last year. The thirty-seven year old native of Tampa, Gorrono joined the Dania roster in the Summer of 2003. The former Olando Jai-Alai pelotari enjoyed his finest season while a Dania roster-member during the 2005/2006 Winter Meet; the Frontcourter finished in the Top

Florida's 2013 totals stumble out of the gate April 02, 2013 3:00 AM by Casino Doctors The total numbers for the state’s February racino business (slots), no matter what spin, were down. Ditto the pari-mutuel and card room businesses. On the racino front, with the exception of Casino Miami Jai Alai, when compared with February 2012 all the facilities had negative Net Slot Revenue. Keeping in mind 2012 was a leap year, February 2013 average per day/per racino was down almost $32,000. The overall NSR was down 5.59% and the tax revenue from the play was $13.6 million less than 2012. Some other connective numbers include: 23 less machines per day averaging $4 less daily revenue per machine. State legislators will certainly consider the downward arc as they research the potential for expansion and regulation. Tribal numbers are not included in any of these reported numbers. Individual monthly racino numbers are one of many indicators for each operation; however, the numbers are indeed revealing. Casino Miami Jai Alai was up 12%; significant because it was their first year-to-year comparison for an entire month. Magic City, even though down, strengthens each month – February was only 4% under 2012. Gulfstream and Mardi Gras, compared to 2012, were down by 12% and 10% respectively. Long time racino leader Isle at Pompano was off only 1%. Calder Casino was off 16% – a significant amount for any operation; however, of note, the Calder 2012 number was exceptional. When Hialeah comes on line with slots this summer and Dania Jai Alai shortly thereafter, there’s bound to be some noticeable changes in play. Hialeah is near Miami Jai Alai; Dania close to Mardi Gras and Seminole Hard Rock. Some operators complain that the reinstatement of higher payroll tax has negatively impacted their operations. Perhaps, but the racino decreases are disconcerting considering a steadily improving economy in Florida, continued housing starts, improving tourism, job creation and, for the first time in four years, more people moving into the state than leaving. The two-county area, which houses the legal five racinos, plus three major tribal casinos, and the two new casinos opening soon, may well be hitting saturation. Pari-mutuels Feb. 2013: The middle dates always coveted by each Florida pari-mutuel permit holder produced uninspiring results. The overall handle is off 3% from 2012…not very impressive for the winter racing and wagering schedule. For the first two months of 2013 the total pari-mutuel handle is virtually even with 2012. The same scenario is true for the card rooms – almost a carbon copy of 2012. Cardroom business has remained static for quite some time. On both fronts there is little, if any, growth. March is historically the best bet winter month. Odds n’ ends Genting is proceeding to develop a part of its gigantic midtown Miami bayside footprint they acquired several years ago – primarily for a destination casino resort. Though the initial casino project was shot down by the legislature (for now), the company plans to wreck the old Miami Herald building and turn the site into a 500-room hotel managed by a luxury brand, several hundred luxury condos, a 50-foot wide, two-tiered broad baywalk with restaurants and bistros. Genting managers tout a “phased in” approach to the project. With the legislature rejecting any gaming related legislation in favor of a “study” of gaming this year, Genting’s move is bold but logical. There’s plenty of land under their ownership to accommodate a state-of-the-art, world-class mega casino. A recent visit to the Isle of Capri Casino and Pompano Harness Track confirms it is the “star” in the Florida racino constellation. The stand-alone casino is a busy place with a largely senior citizen audience pounding away on the slots. The poker room had a waiting list at dinnertime on an early Saturday evening. The ambiance is Casino 101 – comfortable, well lit, wide variety of predominantly new machines, carefully integrated background music and a fleet of pleasant security-assistants throughout the floors. With plentiful adjacent parking, proximity to the main harness track building, attentive service, and in the geographic central of the main demographic, it is no wonder Isle continues to lead the pack. Many state legislators awash in cash donations from the bogus charity Allied Veterans are unloading their tainted cash to legit charities fast. Allied, nothing more than a front for Internet cafés’ money laundering and racketeering operations across the state, was a cash cow for 40-plus owner/operators. The scheme grossed $300 million, of which $1.4 million went to legislators who for years successfully squashed attempts to regulate the cafés. Associated Press uncovered a second bogus Internet café charity based in South Carolina. The Childrens’ Cancer Cooperative shares an attorney with Allied and has ties to over 200 additional Internet cafés in Florida. A bill to outlaw all Internet cafés and their illegal slot machine lookalikes is barreling through Tallahassee with virtually no opposition. The latest tactics of Dolphins owner Steven Ross to sway public funding for renovating Sun Life Stadium makes it contingent on landing either Super Bowl L or LI. Plus the team will pay for the referendum should the state allow.

Boyd Gaming 66M Sale Of Dania Jai-Alai Back On. More than a year after its deal to sell Dania Jai-Alai was canceled, Boyd Gaming Corp. reached a deal with the same buyer, albeit at a lower price. In May 2011, the Las Vegas-based company (NYSE: BYD) announced a deal to sell the 235,148-square-foot jai-alai fronton for $80 million to Dania Entertainment LLC. However, that deal fell apart in November of that year. Dania Entertainment then filed a lawsuit against Boyd Gaming for terminating the sales agreement. On Thursday, Boyd Gaming announced a new sales contract with Dania Entertainment Center – for $65.5 million. The buyer will get to count its previous deposit of $7 million towards the purchase price, plus it will make a $4 million non-refundable deposit. The transaction should close by May 24, the companies said. Boyd Gaming purchased Dania Jai-Alai for $150 million in 2007. Built in 1980 at 301 E. Dania Beach Blvd., it has poker tables, but has yet to install slot machines. "Our company's primary focus is on strengthening our balance sheet, and the sale of this non-strategic asset is another significant step toward that goal," said Keith Smith, president and CEO of Boyd Gaming, stated in a news release. State records show that Dania Entertainment is managed by Hollywood resident Eyal Levy, San Francisco resident Bart Seidler and Hallandale residents Louis Birdman and Harris Friedman. In August, the owner of Dania Jai-Alai asked Broward County to amend its development plan to add 500 hotel rooms, 60 marina slips and 45,000 square feet of commercial space. Article by Brian Bandell,South Fl Business

Florida Gaming Selling Struggling Miami Jai-Alai For $115M November 28, 2012 12:02 PM Florida Gaming Corp. is selling both Miami Jai-Alai and Fort Pierce Jai-Alai for $115 million in cash to Silvermark, LLC Miami Jai-Alai Sold Read Article Click Here

Fla-Gaming Names Chief Restructuring Officer as Miami Jai-Alai Faces Foreclosure Read Article Click Here

Nov 25th,2012 Citrus Night Will Sour The Last Remaining Fans.. The decision not to mail out the Citrus Invitational tickets which helps eliminate long lines at the Box Office will definitely turn fans off including this one.The increased ticket prices were long over due,you just can't give away your product and make money.However to increase prices and at the same time cut service is not a good idea.I recently purchased concert tickets through Ticket Master and printed them out,when I arrived at the event they just scanned the ticket with a hand device which took just a second and the line moved rapidly. Several fans from Ct and other places through-out the country fly in,some like myself drive from far away, to arrive and then stand in long lines,especially for three performances will not set them in the right frame of mind ,to watch and bet the main event which will start sometime well after midnight. Rumors have it this will be the last Citrus and very possibly the ending for live Jai-Alai at Orlando.When the new owner took over he said he would give the game a chance,and that he did, spending thousands while trying everything he could think of to increase business.However I think the communications and promotions could have been much stronger in getting the message out. There is no way the sport can continue on even if they can afford the luxury of losing money to have a live venue in the hopes of getting more lucrative gambling games.The present quality players will retire and enough replacements are just not around.Remember to have events like the Citrus you need a few frontons to make it interesting and QUALITY Players to make it work. I could go on and on about the sport but I'm sure most are no longer interested or losing interest.I make this strong statement as this past Saturday Night (Nov 24th,2012) Orlando which had 10 live games and even though they didn't send out the live signal,betting online was available.The total handle for the 10 games was $15,371.00.In a city the size of Orlando,well this just won't make it or even come close. It's just a sad situation and may even get much sadder after the 2013 Legislature meets and makes very possible changes in the law which will put the sport in severe jeopardy. I'm still a fan and die hard fans like myself never stop hoping for a miracle,but the light just seems to be getting dimmer and dimmer and dimmer.

November 16th,2012
Florida Gaming Revenue Drops as