Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressMarch 29, 2016

A federal judge is pushing back the start of a crucial trial over the future of gambling in Florida. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle agreed Monday to delay until October a trial that will decide whether the Seminole Tribe of Florida can have blackjack tables at their casinos. The trial was initially scheduled for this […]

Jim RosicaMarch 4, 2016

Just as it always does in recent years, a legislative effort to revisit the state’s gambling laws bloated and sank in the waning days of this year’s Legislative Session. After months of negotiations a proposed new “Compact” – a gambling agreement between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida – failed Friday when the […]

Jim RosicaMarch 4, 2016

It’s the Florida Senate’s fault that the Seminole Compact wasn’t passed this session, two House leaders said Friday afternoon. They rejected claims there weren’t enough votes in the House, saying instead there was no point in moving a bill that wasn’t going to be considered across the Capitol Rotunda. (For Friday’s background, click here.) The […]

Jim RosicaMarch 4, 2016

The Florida House of Representatives “temporarily postponed” consideration of this year’s troubled gambling legislation, suggesting last-minute whip counts showed a lack of votes to pass the bills. Friday’s move signals that any possibility of legislative approval of the state’s new gambling agreement, or Compact, with the Seminole Tribe of Florida is dead for the session, which […]

Phil AmmannMarch 2, 2016

Gambling interests have lined up in the Capitol to lobby for their long-held dream of remaking Florida in the image of Las Vegas and Atlantic City. As the Legislature considers their requests for more and bigger casinos, I would caution the following: Not so fast. Any action the Legislature may take to expand gambling – […]

Jim RosicaMarch 2, 2016

If lawmakers fail to act on the Seminole Compact, the Tribe will pursue its own nuclear option, laying off 3,700 workers statewide at its casinos, Gov. Rick Scott said Wednesday. The governor spoke to reporters after a meeting of the Florida Cabinet. “My responsibility was to work to get a Compact done,” he said. “My […]

Jim RosicaMarch 1, 2016

Tom Lee, chairman of the Senate’s Appropriations Committee, on Tuesday said the chamber’s gambling bills wouldn’t be heard at the panel’s meeting. Lee, a Brandon Republican, made the announcement as the meeting was about to begin, but didn’t get into details. With committees generally unable to meet after Tuesday, the 50th day of the Legislative Session, […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 29, 2016

Gambling interests have lined up in the State Capital, lobbying for their long-held dream of remaking Florida in the image of Las Vegas and Atlantic City. As the Florida Legislature considers their requests for more and bigger casinos, I would caution the following: Not so fast. Any action the Legislature may take to expand gambling […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 23, 2016

A new slots casino in Palm Beach County could be a winner out of the latest version of gambling laws to come out of the Florida Legislature this Session, state economists said Tuesday. The Revenue Estimating Conference, a panel of economic forecasters, talked about its assessments stemming from the Senate’s current gambling bill (SB 7072). The actual numbers were […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 23, 2016

Screen-Shot-2016-02-23-at-11.49.04-AM-1024x1024.png

Another week brings another television ad from the Seminole Tribe of Florida touting its new proposed gaming Compact with the state. The latest 30-second spot, titled “The Senate Weighs In,” highlights that a key Senate panel cleared the new agreement but that it still must be passed by the full Legislature. With less than three […]

Tag: Gambling

Crucial federal trial over gambling pushed back to fall

Sunshine State gambling #fails: A short history

House lays Seminole Compact failure at feet of Senate

Seminole Compact dies (again) in Legislature

John Sowinski: Gambling proposals may violate Florida Constitution

Rick Scott says legislative inaction on Compact will cost jobs

Senate gambling legislation appears dead for 2016 Session

John Sowinski: Gambling proposals may violate Florida Constitution

State economists see Palm Beach as a winner under gambling proposal

Seminole Tribe “weighs in” with another pro-Compact ad