Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaFebruary 26, 2018

A House panel on Monday cleared the chamber’s gambling legislation for 2018, making it available for the floor. But the bill (HB 7067) still is far from the Senate position. And it continues to bother Democrats by devoting money from gambling to the “Schools of Hope” backed by Speaker Richard Corcoran, which the minority party sees as […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 26, 2018

Updated 5:45 p.m. Sunday — One gaming lobbyist still isn’t convinced the Legislature will pass comprehensive legislation this year, texting in response to our story, “Zombie bill of the session.” — The House’s gambling bill for 2018 on Sunday was added to the Commerce Committee‘s agenda for Monday. The legislation (HB 7067) was added minutes before […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 22, 2018

The Seminole Tribe of Florida is airing an ad in the Tallahassee market urging passage of a new gambling deal between the Tribe and the state. But with lawmakers saying their “bandwidth” has been sapped by a fight over the 2018-19 budget and by a legislative response to the Broward County high school shooting, it’s […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 20, 2018

House Speaker-designate José Oliva on Tuesday didn’t quite put the nail in the coffin for a gambling bill this Session—but he’s holding the hammer. The reason: Lawmakers, overrun by events, are running out of time. With less than three weeks left in the 2018 Legislative Session, the House and Senate are scrambling to come up with […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 12, 2018

The Senate made some big moves Friday in the annual legislative dance that is the negotiation for an omnibus gambling bill. The biggest move: The chamber now includes a renewed 20-year deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida for $3 billion in revenue over seven years in return for exclusive rights to blackjack and slot […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 8, 2018

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As owners of the state’s dog and horse tracks fret over a legislative deal this year, House Speaker Richard Corcoran on Thursday didn’t back down from his position that there be “an absolute contraction” of gambling in the state. But he also didn’t make clear what a “contraction” actually looks like, and whether that could […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 8, 2018

Lawmakers, take note: More than three-quarters of likely Florida voters favor a proposed state constitutional amendment “that would require voter approval to authorize casino gambling in the state,” according to poll results released Thursday. A ballot question will be before voters in November as Amendment 3, or the Voter Control of Gambling amendment. “When initially asked […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 6, 2018

The Senate’s point man on gambling issues Tuesday said he sees “a way forward” on a grand gambling bargain—but also suggested lawmakers may have to fold ’em and walk away. Senate President-designate Bill Galvano, a Bradenton Republican, is representing his chamber as he and House Speaker-designate Jose Oliva try to land a comprehensive gambling bill that’s eluded […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 2, 2018

You’d think Joe Negron would have learned by now that when it comes to gambling and the Legislature, you can’t always get what you want. Actually, you can’t even get what you need. But when it comes to what’s fair for voters, shouldn’t you fight like hell? In a media availability after Thursday’s floor session, […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 26, 2018

A Senate bill to exempt fantasy sports play from state gambling regulation cleared its last committee this week, making it available for the floor. But there are still big ‘if’s that could blow up the gambling exclusivity deal, known as the Seminole Compact, between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Here’s the staff analysis: […]

Tag: Gambling
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

All or nothing: House gambling bill moves to floor

It lives: House gambling bill back for Monday

Seminole Tribe ad is a Hail Mary for a gambling deal

José Oliva’s hopes for gambling resolution plummet

Ante up: Senate files new 90-page gambling bill

On Richard Corcoran, gambling and third-graders

Poll: 76 percent support constitutional amendment on gambling

Bill Galvano hopeful—but not betting—on gambling resolution

Joe Negron and a reckoning (or not) on gambling

Despite Seminole concerns, fantasy sports bill ready in Senate