Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaFebruary 23, 2017

With its chair saying he wants to “freeze” gambling in the state, a House gambling panel on Thursday cleared that chamber’s overhaul bill, including a renewed blackjack agreement between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The Tourism and Gaming Control Subcommittee OK’d the measure (PCB TGC 17-01) on a 10-5 party-line vote. But […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 23, 2017

A wide-sweeping gambling bill is now ready to be heard by the full Senate when the 2017 Legislative Session kicks off next month, after it cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee this morning. The bill (SB 8), sponsored by Sen. Bill Galvano, ratifies the 2015 Seminole Compact, subject to the approval of amendments to conform the […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 22, 2017

The sponsor of the Senate’s 2017 gambling bill has filed a 134-page strike-all amendment, a day before the bill is scheduled to be heard by the Appropriations Committee and a House version to be heard by its first panel. Bill Galvano, the Bradenton Republican expected to be Senate President in 2018-20, filed the amendment early Wednesday. On a first […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 30, 2017

State Sen. Dana Young on Monday filed her own version of a bill that would legalize and regulate fantasy sports play. The Tampa Republican’s “Fantasy Contest Amusement Act” (SB 592) declares such games to “involve the skill of contest participants and do not constitute gambling, gaming, or games of chance.” And it would prohibit the playing of fantasy […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 26, 2017

House Speaker Richard Corcoran is saving the profanities—for now. At a Thursday press availability, Corcoran was asked about comments by a lobbyist involved in this year’s gambling legislation, which the Senate has taken the lead on with an omnibus bill (SB 8). The person was overheard in a Capitol corridor saying he had spoken with the […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 25, 2017

The Florida Senate has seemingly fast-tracked the chamber’s gambling overhaul for this year, as its first panel gave unanimous thumbs up to the measure one hour into a meeting that had been scheduled to last four. The bill (SB 8) was cleared Wednesday by the Regulated Industries committee, which oversees gambling policy. It has only one […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 24, 2017

FanDuel, the national fantasy sports website, has sent a “call to action” email to its Florida users, asking them to contact lawmakers in support of their hobby. “With the Big Game just around the corner, we have an important message to share with every Florida fantasy sports player,” the email says. “A new bill has […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 19, 2017

The state of Florida has filed an appeal to a federal judge’s ruling allowing the Seminole Tribe to keep offering blackjack at its casinos. The 7-page “notice of appeal” to the 11th U.S Circuit Court of Appeals was filed Thursday by Jason Maine, general counsel to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, which regulates […]

Gary FineoutJanuary 19, 2017

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The powerful state senator trying to push through a dramatic expansion of gambling in Florida recently was working for the company that owns an iconic Miami Beach hotel interested in adding slot machines. State Sen. Bill Galvano, a Bradenton Republican and attorney, has acknowledged to The Associated Press that he did legal work for Turnberry Associates […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 12, 2017

This year’s first big gambling bill has something for everyone: Lottery ticket sales at gas pumps, fantasy sports, more slot machines, and a provision to finally OK the long-delayed gambling agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. As he promised, state Sen. Bill Galvano filed this year’s bill (SB 8) on Thursday afternoon, coming in at […]

Tag: Gambling
Lake Mary’s team celebrates in the eighth inning of the Little League World Series Championship game against Taiwan. Florida won in eight innings 2-1. Image via AP.

House gambling bill gets thumbs up on first look

Senate Appropriations votes 14-2 to OK gambling bill, now cleared for Senate floor

Senate adds bingo, doping, ADW to its 2017 gambling bill

Dana Young files fantasy sports bill

Richard Corcoran already vexed by Senate gambling plan

Senate panel OKs gambling overhaul bill, including Seminole provisions

FanDuel calls on Florida fans to support fantasy sports

State appeals federal ruling on Seminole Tribe blackjack

Bill Galvano, behind gambling expansion, worked for resort seeking slots

Bill Galvano files 112-page gambling bill for 2017