Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaFebruary 3, 2016

House Speaker Steve Crisafulli said the proposed Seminole Compact will need “changes” if it’s to be approved this Legislative Session. Crisafulli, a Merritt Island Republican, spoke with reporters Tuesday night after a late House floor session. “We’re certainly focused on what details that bill can have in it that would work for this body,” he said, […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 2, 2016

Workers at Tampa’s Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino are taking a field trip to Tallahassee on Wednesday, according to a news release from the Seminole Tribe of Florida. More than 100 of them, including table games dealers, will be asking lawmakers to approve the new Seminole Compact and save their jobs. On Monday, Gov. […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 2, 2016

The fate of a new Seminole Compact and accompanying gambling legislation was thrown into question Tuesday when a key senator opened the possibility that neither may get to a vote this session. Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican, chairs the Regulated Industries Committee. It oversees gambling issues and has the first bite at the Compact. The panel already has […]

Melissa RossFebruary 2, 2016

Although he’s placing some side money on Marco Rubio as “the perfect cover,” political analyst/bettor Paul Krishnamurty is looking like a genius in the wake of the Iowa caucuses. Krishnamurty, who freelances for the British sports betting firm Betfair and blogs at Political Gambler, has long placed his chips on Ted Cruz to win the 2016 GOP […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 1, 2016

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Two post-5 p.m. Monday news releases painted opposing pictures of the renegotiated Seminole Compact. Ostensibly, the pact would allow the Indian tribe to retain its privilege as the only Florida casinos offering blackjack. In return, it would give the state $3 billion over seven years. Monday morning, tribal leaders met with Gov. Rick Scott as a public-relations […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 1, 2016

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Gov. Rick Scott and Seminole Tribe of Florida representatives on Monday earnestly began a hard sell of a new deal that would let the tribe keep blackjack at their casinos. Scott met with Tribal Chairman Jim Billie, other tribal leaders and gambling operations executives in South Florida in a meeting that was live-streamed on the Internet. […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 27, 2016

The same state agency now calling designated-player card games illegal was calling them “in compliance” with state gambling law as recently as last July, records show. What’s not clear is what caused the about-face. The enforcement is happening at the same time that lawmakers are considering whether to approve a new “compact” with the Seminole Tribe of […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 27, 2016

The head of a Jacksonville racetrack and card room says the state was unfairly targeting pari-mutuels for running illegal card games, especially when state regulators oversaw the games being set up. Howard Korman, president of Jacksonville Greyhound Racing, which does business as BestBet, spoke at a Senate Regulated Industries Committee meeting on Wednesday. The Department […]

Melissa RossJanuary 27, 2016

Saying her endorsement “threatens to turn the Iowa caucus on its head,” British oddsmaker Paul Krishnamurty says Sarah Palin‘s endorsement of Donald Trump is taking the edge off his strategy of putting many of his chips on Ted Cruz to take the GOP nomination for president. Krishnamurty is a professional “punter” with the sports betting […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 27, 2016

State gambling regulators this week filed complaints against seven racetracks in Florida, saying they’re operating illegal card games, according to documents obtained through a public records request. The pari-mutuels targeted by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, which regulates gambling, include: Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Palm Beach Kennel Club in West Palm Beach, Magic […]

Tag: Gambling

Steve Crisafulli contends Seminole Compact needs “changes”

Seminole casino workers to lobby lawmakers

Rob Bradley: No promises on Seminole Compact, gambling bill

Political Gambler: Ted Cruz “absolutely” still bet for GOP nominee

Seminoles, No Casinos duel in end-of-day news releases

Rick Scott and Seminole Tribe begin PR effort for new blackjack deal

Emails show state’s about-face on card games enforcement

Racino executive speaks out on card-room controversy

Brit oddsmaker on 2016: Palin helps Trump, hurts Cruz, Hillary still favored to win it all

State files gambling complaints against racetracks across Florida