Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Danny McAuliffeDecember 11, 2018

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Rep. Halsey Beshears will serve as the next Secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis announced the hire Tuesday. Florida Politics first reported earlier this month that Beshears was under consideration for the post. “Florida’s trillion-dollar economy is founded on thriving businesses—from the small mom and pop shops to […]

Jim RosicaOctober 25, 2018

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It’s big news in Florida’s gambling world: The pari-mutuel formerly known as Calder Race Course has gotten the OK from state gambling regulators to get out of the horse racing business. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering granted its petition for a declaratory statement on Thursday, records show. “Calder may operate […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 11, 2018

The anti-racing activists led by the Humane Society of the United States, under the guise of “Protect Dogs — Yes on 13,” continue their barrage of deliberately deceptive propaganda aimed at Florida’s voters. Once again, they are hiding the ball by intentionally omitting monies wagered via Advanced Deposit Wagering (ADW), recently submitting a misleading and […]

Jim RosicaAugust 30, 2018

If a video game looks, plays and pays out like a slot machine, it’s a slot machine — even if you know whether you’re going to win or lose, an appellate court ruled Thursday. A unanimous three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal found that what’s known as pre-reveal games, specifically the kind […]

Jim RosicaJuly 24, 2018

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Give Costco’s lawyers some credit: They may have a found a way to finally be able to sell tequila and turkey burgers in the same store. The answer may involve its food courts — turkey provolone sandwich, anyone? — and repealing the state’s obscure, 24-year-old “Restaurant Rule.” And already, Costco’s critics are calling it an […]

Jim RosicaJuly 17, 2018

If a video game looks like a slot machine, plays like a slot machine, and pays out like a slot machine, is it still a slot machine if you know whether you’re going to win or lose? No, said an attorney for a Jacksonville company that distributes what are called “pre-reveal” games, which can be found across […]

Jim RosicaMay 1, 2018

Real estate billionaire Jeffrey Soffer has closed on a deal to buy South Florida’s former Mardi Gras Casino and Race Track. The closing was disclosed in a final order filed Monday and released Tuesday by the state’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). But the department, which regulates gambling in the state, withheld a final […]

Danny McAuliffeMarch 31, 2018

As Women’s History Month drew to a close, a panel of female business leaders shared a sentiment that could help every professional: Don’t be afraid to deviate from the status quo. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation held its annual Women in Business conference in Tallahassee on Friday. It featured a guest panel […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 29, 2018

Tomorrow, members of the Senate Community Affairs Committee have an important decision to make regarding the future of short-term rentals in the State of Florida. There are two introduced bills on the agenda that would impact the short-term rental industry, but only one that adequately addresses the need to establish a clear, sensible line between […]

Jim RosicaAugust 21, 2017

An appellate court was on the verge of rejecting an appeal of a lower court’s decision that entertainment devices known as “pre-reveal” games are in fact illegal slot machines. Dockets at the 1st District Court of Appeal show that Gator Coin II—the Jacksonville company that distributes the games—was ordered to show “why this appeal should not […]

Ron DeSantis taps Halsey Beshears to be next DBPR Secretary

Scratched: State says track can stop racing horses, keep slots

Committee to Support Greyhounds: The real racing handle numbers

Court says ‘pre-reveal’ games that play like slots are illegal

It’s back: Costco’s weapon to win ‘whiskey and Wheaties’ war

What’s a slot machine? Florida court will decide

Jeffrey Soffer closes deal to buy South Florida’s Mardi Gras Casino

Women business leaders say it’s OK to break the rules — sometimes

FRLA’s Carol Dover talks short-term rentals

Court asks why it shouldn’t dismiss ‘pre-reveal’ appeal