bestbet bet on 10 of 19 Jacksonville City Council members last election

Is Jacksonville ready for slot machines? bestbet, the Jacksonville-based gambling concern, believes so.

Tia Mitchell reported in the Florida Times-Union Wednesday that “Legislation has been filed with the Jacksonville City Council to put a referendum on the November ballot on whether to authorize slot machines at bestbet’s facility in Arlington.”

The bill, filed Wednesday by Councilman Aaron Bowman, “could be up for final approval as early as June 28.”

Mitchell notes that Susie Wiles of Ballard Partners represents bestbet on the issue.

It’s interesting to note that Wiles is one of the co-chairs of the Yes for Jacksonville political committee, designed to sell the pension tax referendum to local voters.

Also interesting is that Ali Korman Shelton, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, has family connections to bestbet. Her husband is president of the company. Her father is its CEO.

Even more interesting: bestbet contributed to 10 of 19 Council members who were elected in 2015.

At-Large Councilmembers Anna Brosche and Tommy Hazouri were the big winners; bestbet delivered $2,000 to their campaign coffers.

The $1,000 club includes John Crescimbeni, Council President Greg Anderson, and Arlington Councilwoman Joyce Morgan, along with Councilmembers Jim Love, Reggie Gaffney and Scott Wilson.

Finance Chair Bill Gulliford and Rules Chair Matt Schellenberg were given $500 each.

It takes ten members to pass a bill.

Bowman, who introduced the bill, received nothing from bestbet.