Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

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 […]

Jim RosicaMarch 28, 2018

Despite the end of a legal truce between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the state this Saturday, don’t expect the Tribe’s gambling money to stop flowing to Florida’s coffers, its longtime outside lawyer said. That’s also despite lawmakers’ failure, once again, to pass comprehensive gambling law reform or renew the revenue sharing agreement between […]

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 RosicaJanuary 9, 2018

A roundtable of state economists Tuesday decided to take a pass on adopting a forecast for Indian gambling dollars that flow to the state. The Seminole Tribe of Florida pays over $200 million a year into state coffers as part of a deal that guarantees it exclusivity to offer certain games, especially blackjack. And even […]

Tag: Department of Business and Professional Regulation
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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

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

Sure bet? Seminole gambling money will keep flowing, lawyer says

FRLA’s Carol Dover talks short-term rentals

All in—or out? Gambling revenue puzzles state economists