Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMarch 2, 2018

The House and Senate gambling bills were heard separately Friday, but one lawmaker already is folding his hand. “The chances of a gaming bill passing this session are none,” said Rep. Joe Abruzzo, a Boynton Beach Democrat. “Let’s go home.” A strike-all amendment had been OK’d on the Senate’s legislation (SB 840) in the Appropriations […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 12, 2018

Sen. Travis Hutson says he believes “there’s a way for us to get there” when asked about gambling legislation finally passing the Legislature this year. The Appropriations Subcommittee on Finance and Tax on Monday unanimously approved his 90-page rewrite of the Senate’s gaming bill (SB 840) for 2018. It now includes a House provision: A renewed 20-year […]

Jim RosicaDecember 7, 2017

A proposal to exempt fantasy sports from state gambling regulation cleared a Senate committee Thursday—but with one notable opponent. “I don’t think the issues raised are clear,” said Sen. Dorothy Hukill, a Port Orange Republican and vice-chair of the Regulated Industries Committee, which handles gambling policy. Aside from Hukill’s ‘no’ vote, that committee otherwise moved […]

Jim RosicaDecember 6, 2017

State Sen. Dana Young is defending her fantasy sports bill for 2018, saying the Seminole Tribe’s criticism of her measure and related legislation is “off point.” On Wednesday, the Tampa Republican referred to a February legal opinion by former Florida Supreme Court Justice Ken Bell for DraftKings, a leading fantasy sports website. The day before, the […]

Jim RosicaDecember 6, 2017

The Seminole Tribe of Florida‘s top in-house lawyer told lawmakers this week that their fantasy sports bills are a dealbreaker. A $200 million dealbreaker. The Tribe now says fantasy sports bills filed for the 2018 Legislative Session, if passed, would violate the Seminole Compact. That’s the gambling agreement struck by the state and the Seminoles […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 9, 2017

The Florida Senate is about to tackle gaming issues again. Sen. Travis Hutson‘s latest bill (SB 840) is less ambitious in scope than previous efforts, focusing on four topics: fantasy contests, greyhound and horse racing decoupling, slot machine taxes, and designated player games at pari-mutuel card rooms. “I am excited to take the lead on gaming for […]

Tag: SB 840
Mike Johnson. Image via AP.

Sucker bet? Gambling bills on the move in both chambers

Double or nothing? Senate gambling bill clears latest panel

Fantasy sports bill moves after one high-profile ‘no’ vote

Seminole Tribe criticism of fantasy sports is ‘off point,’ Dana Young says

Seminole Tribe fires warning letter to Legislature over fantasy sports

Senate gaming bill promises ‘attainable reform’