Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaSeptember 4, 2018

Gambling regulators on Tuesday warned racing greyhound owners and others that public tours of kennels at Florida greyhound tracks may violate state regulations. A representative of the industry soon shot back that the prohibition was “outrageous!” Last month, the National Greyhound Association said it would offer tours of “three Florida greyhound tracks and their on-site kennels.” The two-hour guided […]

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 […]

Staff ReportsAugust 27, 2018

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Jennifer Tschetter has joined the Carlton Fields law firm’s national medical marijuana task force, the firm announced. She departed Tallahassee’s Hopping Green & Sams, where she’d been since 2016. The former general counsel, chief of staff and chief operating officer of the Florida Department of Health now co-chairs Carlton Fields’ 18-lawyer task force. There, she will “represent […]

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 18, 2018

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Simone Marstiller, a retired appellate judge, has been appointed to the Florida Supreme Court’s Judicial Management Council. Marstiller now is with the Gunster law firm’s appellate and government affairs teams, based in the Tallahassee and Tampa offices. The council “serves as high-level management consultants to the Supreme Court and (is) responsible for assisting the chief justice in proactively identifying trends, potential crisis situations, […]

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 RosicaJuly 5, 2018

Downtown Miami is getting a brand-new casino. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation, which regulates gambling in the state, late Tuesday issued what’s known as “summer jai alai” permit for a new facility to be built on Biscayne Boulevard. The new permit was granted to West Flagler Associates, controlled by South Florida’s Havenick family. They operate Magic City […]

Jim RosicaMay 15, 2018

In another gambling case that could reach the state Supreme Court, a Jacksonville casino is appealing the state’s ending of its quest for a slot machine license. Jacksonville Kennel Club, which does business as bestbet, filed a notice of appeal to the 1st District Court of Appeal on Tuesday after the Department of Business and […]

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 […]

Jim RosicaApril 18, 2018

It’s another happy day at Hard Rock. Gov. Rick Scott Wednesday announced an agreement between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida that “extends the Tribe’s current commitment to make (gambling) revenue sharing payments to the state through May 2019.” The tribe operates Hard Rock-branded and other casinos in Florida, including the flagship Hard […]

Tag: Department of Business and Professional Regulation
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 4/18/25-Candles and remembrances are left near the Unconquered statue a few hours after the Florida State University Gathering of Unity Vigil held Friday to honor victims of the recent mass shooting. COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

Whoa, dog: State says greyhound kennel tours aren’t allowed

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

Personnel note: Jennifer Tschetter joins Carlton Fields

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

Personnel note: Simone Marstiller appointed to Judicial Management Council

What’s a slot machine? Florida court will decide

Jackpot: New casino permitted for downtown Miami

Spin ’em: Jacksonville race track appeals slot machine denial

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

Deal ’em: Rick Scott, Seminole Tribe agree on gambling money