Second group forms to oppose slots amendment; Rubio continues to oppose it

A new anti-casinos group that includes greyhound advocates, mothers against gambling and conservative Christian organizations declared Wednesday that ''Miami is not for sale'' as it announced plans to fight the Jan. 29 slot machine referendum.

Miami-Dade County voters will decide at the end of the month whether to allow the county's horse track, dog track and jai-alai fronton to install Class III, Las Vegas-style slot machines like those already operating at parimutuel facilities in Broward County.

The new group, which calls itself No Casinos Miami, includes a broad array of social and religious causes. In a news release, it defines itself as a ``left-right bipartisan group.''

With only 20 days left before the election, organizers acknowledged at a news conference that they come in at a disadvantage. A pro-slots group organized months ago.

''It's our people against their money and muscle,'' said Tom Grey, field director of the National Coalition Against Gambling Expansion. More here.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Marco Rubio said Wednesday that while he hasn't heard of the group he believes "they're right on the issue and I'll be helpful in anyway I can.''

The West Miami Republican said he will work as aggressively as he can to defeat the amendment. "I feel the same way I did two years ago. I think it's a bad deal for Miami-Dade County and, by the way, it
hasn't yielded the results that were promised in Broward either.''   

-- AMY DRISCOLL