Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsOctober 2, 2018

Voters in Charge, the political committee behind the statewide “Yes on 3” constitutional amendment campaign, on Tuesday said former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz will chair its Miami-Dade Committee. “Members of local leadership committees include community, business, law enforcement and religious leaders throughout the state who are committed to ensuring that Florida voters are put in charge […]

Jacob OglesOctober 1, 2018

A Florida Chamber of Commerce poll obtained by Florida Politics shows a solid majority of voters favor a constitutional amendment aimed at limiting gambling by leaving decisions on casinos to voters. Some 54 percent of voters surveyed plan to vote “yes” on Amendment 3, which would allow for voters in the future exclusively to authorize […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorSeptember 27, 2018

Voters in Charge, which is behind a ballot measure to require voter approval for new gambling, announced its Tampa Bay area leadership on Thursday. The list of notables includes those in law enforcement, religious leaders, community and business leaders and elected officials. “We are thrilled to have the support of so many pillars of the […]

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 RosicaAugust 8, 2018

The political committee behind a proposed constitutional amendment limiting gambling plans a $30 million ad buy to promote the measure’s passage. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) public files document some of the purchase. John Sowinski, chairman of Voters In Charge which is behind the “Voter Control of Gambling” amendment, on Wednesday confirmed the total buy. The initiative will appear on the November […]

Staff ReportsAugust 1, 2018

More than five dozen greyhound adoption groups in the U.S. and Canada — including 14 in Florida — have formally opposed a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at ending commercial dog racing in the state. Greyhound Adopters for Racing, which also opposes the ban, released the announcement Wednesday. Its statement said the number of groups “reflects the breadth and […]

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 13, 2018

A new political committee called “Vote NO on 3” has registered to oppose a proposed state constitutional amendment requiring voter approval of new gambling. A Division of Elections listing accessed Friday show the political committee (PC) is chaired by South Florida’s Isadore “Izzy” Havenick, whose family operates Magic City Casino in Miami and Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Racing & […]

Jim RosicaJuly 9, 2018

The $1.5 billion expansion underway at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood celebrated a milestone Monday with a “topping out” of its 450-foot high guitar-shaped tower. That is, the final steel beam was ceremonially hoisted and set atop the tower. It will bring 638 new guest rooms and suites. “The beam itself was transported to […]

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 […]

Tag: Gambling
Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Image via Visit Florida.

Voters in Charge announces Miami-Dade leadership committee

Poll shows voters favor Amendment 3 casino limits

Will Weatherford headlines regional names behind gambling amendment

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

Group backing gambling amendment plans $30M ad buy

Over 60 greyhound adoption groups oppose racing ban

What’s a slot machine? Florida court will decide

New committee forms to fight gambling-control amendment

Topped out: Hard Rock Hollywood hoists final guitar tower girder

Jackpot: New casino permitted for downtown Miami