Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayMarch 3, 2015

The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association — a group with outsized importance in this state’s tourism-reliant economy — issued a statement Tuesday excoriating the proposal released Monday by House Majority Leader Dana Young. “We will continue to fight this legislation, along with any other measure that seeks to expand gambling under the false pretense that it […]

James CallMarch 2, 2015

House Majority Leader Dana Young made the opening bid Monday on expanding gambling operations in Florida. The Gaming Control Act of 2015 provides for up to two destination resorts in Florida, a constitutional amendment to lift a moratorium on further expansion, decoupling of greyhound racing from other gaming opportunities, and the reversion to the state […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 21, 2015

Seven of the eight South Florida casino operators (Calder, Dania, Isle of Capri, Magic City, Mardi Gras, Miami Jai Alai, and Hialeah) had a meeting today with Gov. Rick Scott or his staff, a source close to the conversations tells Florida Politics. The casino operators discussed their desire for business parity and related issues, including the […]

Jac VerSteegDecember 23, 2014

President Barack Obama’s decision to push for normalized relations with Cuba eventually can provide new access to special smoking materials for Floridians and tourists. But I’m not talking about Cohibas. I’m talking about “legal” marijuana. As Bloomberg has explained, Obama’s decision to lift some restrictions on Cuba will not result in a flood of Cuban […]

Peter SchorschAugust 21, 2014

Unless an Ebola-fueled zombie apocalypse devastates the world between now and next Tuesday, former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist is going to win the Democratic nomination in Florida’s governor’s race. Not one credible political prognosticator thinks otherwise. So one thing to look for on Tuesday night is not whether Crist wins or loses — duh — […]

Guest AuthorAugust 4, 2014

Over the past two years there has been a concerted effort to expand gambling at greyhound racetracks in Florida. This effort has been promoted with a misinformation campaign that would make any Minister of Propaganda proud. Rather than openly push for the expansion of gambling, many of those behind this effort have pushed for the […]

Guest AuthorJuly 31, 2014

We need a state constitutional amendment to ban all wagering in Florida. Oddly, raising taxes is considered a cardinal sin, but gambling is supposedly a blessing — especially since the state began pimping it through the Florida Lottery. Republicans have consistently refused to increase taxes in a bad economy, in a good economy, and in […]

Guest AuthorJuly 29, 2014

Among the country’s lower 48, Florida was a land of almost unequaled promise. Surrounded by navigable waters, the peninsula’s unique geography and pristine natural beauty beckoned all to visit and emigrate–and thrive. Mother Nature shined on the state, along with women like Marjory Stoneman Douglas (who saved the Everglades) and Barbara Capitman (who saved South […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 14, 2014

Some Florida greyhound track operators want to eliminate live greyhound racing so that they can expand gambling and create 13 casinos around the state. But there is no such thing as “decoupling,” a public relations phrase invented by some greyhound track operators and their allies, a cult-like Massachusetts-based group that wants to prohibit greyhound racing. […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 4, 2014

Greyhound racing has a rich history in Florida. The first greyhound racetrack opened in Florida more than 100 years ago. Our state quickly became the nation’s unofficial capital of the sport. Greyhound racing became one of the most popular spectator sports in America. While some of Florida’s smaller tracks have closed in recent years, greyhound […]

Tag: Gambling

Florida restaurant, hotel lobby blasts Dana Young’s new gaming bill

Dana Young makes opening move on expanded gambling

Governor meets with South Florida casino operators

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: The path to pot at tribal casinos

Peter Schorsch: The key Tuesday night will be Charlie Crist’s margin of victory

Jeff Kottkamp: Campaign to end dog racing is just a ruse to expand casinos

Stephen Goldstein: Gambling is for losers; we should ban it in Florida

Stephen Goldstein: 17 sensible initiatives to make Florida world-class

Jack Cory: Live greyhound racing is good for Florida, good for the greyhounds

Jeff Kottkamp: Unreported wagers a losing bet for Florida’s taxpayers