Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaNovember 19, 2018

The next big debate over gambling in Florida could be on sports betting — with one top lawmaker already flexing his muscle regarding lawmakers’ say over it. This month, voters approved Amendment 3, also known as the “Voter Control of Gambling” amendment, by 71 percent. Its aim: To “ensure that Florida voters shall have the […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 25, 2018

State government can’t count on continued money from Seminole Tribe of Florida casinos, a roundtable of state economists decided Thursday. After taking a pass on the issue earlier this month, the Revenue Estimating Conference agreed to label the money—over $200 million a year—”nonrecurring.” In other words, not likely to repeat. Lawmakers can still decide to count the expected funds […]

Jim RosicaJuly 18, 2016

If voters approve a proposed constitutional amendment on gambling, will Floridians no longer be able to play Mega Millions? That’s the question being asked by opponents of the citizen initiative behind the Voter Control of Gambling amendment. Specifically, the amendment aims to give voters more control over the expansion of gambling in the state. The amendment is now before […]

Jim RosicaMay 24, 2016

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A former state Senator has signed on to represent the backers of a proposed constitutional amendment on gambling. Florida Supreme Court records show Miami attorney Dan Gelber filed a notice of appearance on behalf of Voters In Charge, the committee behind the amendment. Gelber, 55, also was Democratic leader when he served in the House and unsuccessfully […]

Jim RosicaMay 19, 2016

It’s not clear whether a proposed gambling-control amendment will help or hinder the state’s finances. A panel of state economists stalemated this week on the financial impact of the Voter Control of Gambling amendment. The Financial Impact Estimating Conference’s final report was hand-delivered to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of State Ken Detzner on Thursday. A summary reads: “The […]

Jim RosicaMay 11, 2016

The panel behind a proposed constitutional amendment on gambling again posted no new fundraising as of its April report. But Voters in Charge has nearly burned through the $195,000 given to it as seed money from the No Casinos anti-gambling expansion organization — awkwardly misspelled in a report as “No Cashinos.” The committee’s campaign finance report […]

Jim RosicaApril 27, 2016

If it’s approved, would a proposed constitutional amendment outlaw currently legal kinds of gambling? A panel of state economic analysts debated the question on Tuesday. The Financial Impact Estimating Conference, a slate of economists for the Legislature and executive branches, held a public workshop in Tallahassee on the Voter Control of Gambling amendment. It would “ensure that Florida […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2016

A proposed constitutional amendment to give voters more control over gambling has reported passing the signature threshold to merit consideration by the state’s highest court. The Voter Control of Gambling amendment has 69,336 signatures as of Monday morning, more than the 10 percent of total signatures needed to trigger Florida Supreme Court review. It’s the first step toward […]

Associated PressDecember 15, 2015

The first rule of gambling is sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. Not even Donald Trump was immune to that fundamental truth as he built a gambling empire. He helped Atlantic City develop its casino market into the nation’s second-largest while welcoming celebrity friends like Michael Jackson, smothering his casinos in neon purple carpeting […]

Jim RosicaOctober 27, 2015

A proposed constitutional amendment to give voters more control over gambling was filed Tuesday. The Voters in Charge political committee submitted the proposed language, available on the Division of Elections website. The committee is chaired by John Sowinski, who also heads the Orlando-based No Casinos anti-gambling expansion organization. The amendment would “ensure that Florida voters […]

Tag: casino gambling

‘The will of the people’: The coming brouhaha over sports betting in Florida

‘Risky money’: Gambling dollars unlikely to repeat, forecasters say

Would Mega Millions be off limits under gambling amendment?

Dan Gelber will represent anti-gambling amendment

Economists uncertain of gambling amendment’s effect

Gambling amendment group not fundraising

Economists puzzle over proposed gambling amendment

Gambling amendment passes first signature threshold

For Donald Trump’s gambling bets, some wins and losses

Group files proposed anti-gambling expansion amendment