Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Lawyers for the company behind “pre-reveal” games have requested oral argument in an appeal of a trial judge’s ruling that the games are illegal slots.
The video game consoles found in bars look, play and pay out like slot machines, but Gator Coin II — the Jacksonville company that distributes the games — says they’re perfectly legal. The games “preview” certain outcomes as to their winning or losing status.
A request filed with the 1st District Court of Appeal this week by Gator Coin II’s lawyers says the case “presents important and unique issues regarding construction of Florida’s slot machine statute and what is considered gaming in Florida.”
“Additionally, this case has garnered great interest from the Seminole Tribe of Florida and from legislators,” it adds. The Legislature considered measures this past Session to outlaw the games, but those efforts failed.
The lawyers also said having an actual “machine present for the Court to review and examine would be helpful to the Court in reaching its decision in this case.” (We’ll just imagine trying to get that through courthouse security.)
The case got started when Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) agents found one of the games in a Jacksonville sports bar and told the proprietor the machine was an “illegal gambling device.”
After first deciding “pre-reveal” games aren’t slots, Circuit Judge John Cooper of Tallahassee reversed himself last year, saying he had “(gotten) it wrong the first time.”
Cooper changed his mind after a hearing in which Barry Richard, a lawyer for the Tribe, told him the machines violate the Tribe’s exclusive right to offer slot machines outside of South Florida, imperiling the state’s future cut of its gambling revenue by “multibillions of dollars.”
The judge, however, said his reversal was based on further evidence on how the pre-reveal, or “no chance,” games — as its software maker prefers to call them — actually play. Other states, including Indiana and North Carolina, have found pre-reveal games to be illegal gambling.
Evening Reads
“Donald Trump considering Brian Mast for VA Secretary” via Zeke Miller of The Associated Press
“Paul Ryan rejects effort to force DACA vote” via Rachael Bade of POLITICO
“Of the top 25 American cities most vulnerable to coastal flooding, 22 are in Florida” via NBC News
“Andrew Gillum campaign denounces name calling after supporter calls Gwen Graham a ‘skank’” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics
“Jimmy Patronis refused to meet with banking regulator, citing sunshine concerns” via Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times
“Background check gap could allow Florida mentally ill to buy guns” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida
“Gun control might not be top issue in 2018 elections, Florida poll finds” via Anthony Man of the Sun-Sentinel
“It was supposed to show who profited from public money. But the rule wasn’t enforced.” via Elizabeth Koh of the Times/Herald
“Battle over water, free speech pits billionaire vs. activist” via Craig Pittman of the Tampa Bay Times
“Video: Florida deputy saves life of unresponsive baby” via 10 News Staff
Quote of the Day
“I am disgusted that Andrew Gillum would allow a secret-money group to run a false attack against a fellow Democrat.” — Democratic candidate for Governor Gwen Graham, in a news release.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
Gov. Rick Scott, as part of his U.S. Senate campaign, continues to highlight a proposal of his “Make Washington Work” Plan that would require a two-thirds vote of each chamber of Congress to approve any tax or fee increase. The first event is 9 a.m., Coastal Industries, 3700 St. Johns Industrial Parkway West, Jacksonville. The second is at 1:45 p.m., Pelican Wire, 3650 Shaw Blvd., Naples.
Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio will hold “mobile” office hours in Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Orange counties. That’s at 10 a.m., Spring Into Wellness Fair, Stephen P. Clark Government Center, 111 N.W. First St., Miami. Also, 11 a.m., Westwind Senior Center, 6805 S.W. 152nd Ave., Miami. Also, 11 a.m., North County Senior Center, 5217 Northlake Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens. Also, 2 p.m., United Against Poverty Orlando, 150 West Michigan St., Orlando.
Forums will be held across the state for judicial candidates to discuss ethical standards in judicial races. The panels are organized by the Florida Supreme Court and The Florida Bar Board of Governors in conjunction with trial-court chief judges and the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee. That’s at 1 p.m., Leon County Courthouse, 301 South Monroe St., Tallahassee. Also, 1 p.m., Alachua County Criminal Justice Center, 220 South Main St., Gainesville. Also, 1 p.m., Orange County Courthouse, 425 North Orange Ave., Orlando. Also, 1 p.m., Broward County Judicial Complex, 201 S.E. Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale. Also, 1 p.m., Lee County Justice Center, 2075 Martin Luther King Blvd., Fort Myers.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine will be campaigning on the Space Coast. Following a roundtable conversation with aerospace industry leaders, Levine will host a media availability. That’s at 2:45 p.m., Radisson Resort at the Port, 8701 Astronaut Blvd, Cape Canaveral. He will also speak at the Brevard County Democratic Party’s Big Blue Bash Gala. That’s at 8 p.m., Eau Gallie Civic Center, 1551 Highland Ave, Melbourne.
Looking Ahead
Gov. Scott will speak during the Seminole County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner. That’s Saturday, 6 p.m., Hilton Orlando Altamonte Springs, 350 Northlake Blvd., Altamonte Springs.
