Wednesday, June 14, 2006

As reported by the South Florida Business Journal: "Suburban Pompano Beach
is getting a 'racino' as its harness race track slowly morphs into a
combination racetrack and casino. "It could have been bigger. Some scaling
back has been necessary because of the 50 percent state tax bite - plus
license fees - on future gambling revenue, according to track officials.
"Now, plans are on hold for a 450-room, four-star hotel and a 250-room
budget hotel on the Pompano Park property. "In March, a development plan was
announced for a 157,000-square-foot racino complex that is estimated to cost
$140 million, said Tim Hinckly, president and COO of Pompano Park's owner,
Isle of Capri Casinos".The new racino complex will be a bit of upscale Las
Vegas in South Florida, with action, light and sound. It will hold a gaming
arena with 1,500 slot machines for 16-hour-a-day play, a multi-story feature
bar with high-imagery audio and video, a high-tech sports bar, expanded
simultaneous off-track betting facilities, an expanded poker parlor and four
restaurants. Completion is targeted for late 2006 or early 2007."