Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Jac VerSteegJanuary 26, 2016

What happens if the Florida Legislature refuses to ratify the Seminole Compact that Gov. Rick Scott negotiated with the Tribe? No one really knows, of course, but state Sen. Joe Abruzzo, a Boynton Beach Democrat, offered a tantalizing hint toward the end of a recent workshop by the Senate’s Regulated Industries Committee. Addressing Jim Allen, […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 26, 2016

The Seminole Tribe of Florida hopes its latest TV ad is “Guaranteed” to win lawmakers over. The ad uses clips from last week’s Senate Regulated Industries Committee, the panel with gambling oversight responsibility, where legislators first started looking at the deal. It “highlights the guaranteed revenue share to the State of Florida under the new gaming compact,” […]

Jac VerSteegJanuary 25, 2016

What happens if the Florida Legislature refuses to ratify the Seminole Compact that Gov. Rick Scott negotiated with the Tribe? No one really knows, of course, but state Sen. Joe Abruzzo, D-Boynton Beach, offered a tantalizing hint toward the end of a recent workshop by the Senate’s Regulated Industries Committee. Addressing Jim Allen, the CEO […]

Tag: Gambling

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

Jac VerSteeg: Sen. Joe Abruzzo’s “wide-open” alternative to the Seminole Compact

Seminole Tribe to air yet another TV ad

Jac VerSteeg: Sen. Joe Abruzzo’s ‘wide open’ alternative to the Seminole Compact