Electronic bingo games out for Perdido Key
Machines illegal, but parlor in works, developer says
CARLTON PROCTOR • CPROCTOR@PNJ.COM • MARCH 26, 2009
Plans for a bingo parlor on Perdido Key no longer include electronic bingo machines, an attorney for a Dallas developer said Wednesday. The change in plans came after State Attorney Bill Eddins told representatives of developer Cy Keefer's company that electronic machines would be illegal, said Keefer's attorney, Barry Beroset of Pensacola. But Key Development, in partnership with the Perdido Bay Tribe of Lower Muscogee Creek Indians, still will proceed with "an upscale bingo establishment" on 7.3 acres it plans to buy on the key, Beroset said.
In a written opinion released Wednesday, Eddins said Florida gambling laws do not permit electronic bingo casinos, similar to the Wind Creek electronic bingo casino in Atmore, Ala. "Key Development assured me that they have no intention of engaging in any illegal activity and have agreed that it would be illegal to operate a casino here in Escambia County," Eddins said in the statement.
Eddins noted that state law makes exceptions for the operation of a casino through Indian gaming laws. "Such an exception must be approved by an agreement with the Florida Legislature," Eddins wrote. "The developer, Key Development, admits that they do not have such an agreement with the Legislature."
Key resident Chuck Hickok said he was pleased with Eddins' opinion. "It is in the best interests of Perdido Key," he said. Hickok said residents still will move forward with their protest of the approval by the Escambia County Development Review Committee earlier this month of Keefer's proposal. Keefer's plans call for an 18,000-square-foot, multi-tenant retail office building and bingo parlor. More than 50 people showed up at the committee's meeting, and of the 20 who spoke, only two were in support. The remaining 18 speakers asked that the approval be delayed.
Opponents argued that:
-- Perdido Key isn't the right setting for the bingo-casino.
-- The process leading up to the Development Review Committee meeting was flawed.
-- It would create traffic issues.
-- Bingo is morally wrong and would create a bad family environment.
Shortly after the review committee approved Keefer's plans, a group calling itself the Perdido Presidents Forum, announced it will fight the county's development order. The forum represents owners from Beach Colony, Eden, Freedom Boat Club, Grand Caribbean, Holiday Harbor, La Playa, Palacio, Sandy Key, Spanish Key and Windemere condominiums. Pensacola attorney Gregory Smith has been retained by the group, said condo owners spokesman Danny Head, vice president of Beach Colony condominium association. Head would not discuss the specific arguments the group will make nor would he say when the appeal will be filed. However, Head did say the associations' presidents believe Keefer's bingo casino project would overload the key's roadways and utilities infrastructure.
"We are not against progress," Head said. "We want the best for the island, and we're for progress that will enhance property values. But we believe a bingo parlor would have a negative economic and environmental impact on the key."
