Florida Lawmakers Approves Bill That Would Allow Trump Casino License For His Doral Resort

Florida lawmakers passed a bill Wednesday that could ease a path for former President Donald Trump to pursue a casino license for his Doral golf resort.

The bill, which cleared the state House in a 97 to 17 vote, also passed state Senate Tuesday in a 39 to 1 vote.

The legislation includes a 30-year agreement between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the state government. 

Once the bill is signed, it will ban the tribe from opposing if the state government gives a gambling license to a casino that is more than 15 miles away from the tribe’s Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. Trump’s Doral resort is located slightly more than 15 miles from the tribe’s business. The former president bought the resort in 2012 and spent about $250 million renovating the place.

State lawmakers who opposed the bill have been questioning as to why the bill specifically mandates 15 miles. Eric Trump, the son of Donald Trump and the vice president of the Trump Organization, had suggested before that the company is interested in building a casino at Doral.

“Many people consider Trump Doral to be unmatched from a gaming perspective — at 700 acres, properties just don’t exist of that size and quality in South Florida, let alone in the heart of Miami,” Eric Trump said.

Article by Dongyoon Shin