Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaOctober 25, 2018

The_exterior_of_Calder_Casino_which_opened_in_2010-e1536091933638.jpg

It’s big news in Florida’s gambling world: The pari-mutuel formerly known as Calder Race Course has gotten the OK from state gambling regulators to get out of the horse racing business. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering granted its petition for a declaratory statement on Thursday, records show. “Calder may operate […]

Peter SchorschOctober 15, 2018

The constitutional amendment to limit gambling expansion in the Sunshine State has the support of a supermajority of voters, according to a new poll conducted by Associated Industries of Florida. The AIF poll, obtained by Florida Politics, found 70 percent of likely general election voters are in favor of Amendment 3, also known as the […]

Drew WilsonOctober 8, 2018

The political committee opposing a constitutional amendment to limit gambling expansion in the Sunshine State raised more than $1.45 million between Sept. 22 and Sept. 28 with the help of a $500,000 infusion from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The committee, known as Citizens for the Truth About Amendment 3, tacked on $1.45 million during the late-September […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorSeptember 27, 2018

Voters in Charge, which is behind a ballot measure to require voter approval for new gambling, announced its Tampa Bay area leadership on Thursday. The list of notables includes those in law enforcement, religious leaders, community and business leaders and elected officials. “We are thrilled to have the support of so many pillars of the […]

Jim RosicaAugust 30, 2018

If a video game looks, plays and pays out like a slot machine, it’s a slot machine — even if you know whether you’re going to win or lose, an appellate court ruled Thursday. A unanimous three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal found that what’s known as pre-reveal games, specifically the kind […]

Staff ReportsAugust 1, 2018

More than five dozen greyhound adoption groups in the U.S. and Canada — including 14 in Florida — have formally opposed a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at ending commercial dog racing in the state. Greyhound Adopters for Racing, which also opposes the ban, released the announcement Wednesday. Its statement said the number of groups “reflects the breadth and […]

Jim RosicaJuly 17, 2018

If a video game looks like a slot machine, plays like a slot machine, and pays out like a slot machine, is it still a slot machine if you know whether you’re going to win or lose? No, said an attorney for a Jacksonville company that distributes what are called “pre-reveal” games, which can be found across […]

Jim RosicaJuly 13, 2018

A new political committee called “Vote NO on 3” has registered to oppose a proposed state constitutional amendment requiring voter approval of new gambling. A Division of Elections listing accessed Friday show the political committee (PC) is chaired by South Florida’s Isadore “Izzy” Havenick, whose family operates Magic City Casino in Miami and Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Racing & […]

Jim RosicaJuly 9, 2018

The $1.5 billion expansion underway at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood celebrated a milestone Monday with a “topping out” of its 450-foot high guitar-shaped tower. That is, the final steel beam was ceremonially hoisted and set atop the tower. It will bring 638 new guest rooms and suites. “The beam itself was transported to […]

Jim RosicaJune 29, 2018

A group that supports a proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit betting on greyhound racing won’t be allowed to enter a case against the ban, a Tallahassee judge ruled Friday. Circuit Judge Karen Gievers denied a motion to intervene from the Committee to Protect Dogs, but said it could file a friend-of-the-court brief, as can the Animal Law […]

Tag: gaming
Image via DFS

Scratched: State says track can stop racing horses, keep slots

Gambling amendment will pass, AIF poll suggests

Tampa Bay Buccaneers top $1.4M report for anti-Amendment 3 committee

Will Weatherford headlines regional names behind gambling amendment

Court says ‘pre-reveal’ games that play like slots are illegal

Over 60 greyhound adoption groups oppose racing ban

What’s a slot machine? Florida court will decide

New committee forms to fight gambling-control amendment

Topped out: Hard Rock Hollywood hoists final guitar tower girder

Lawsuit over dog-racing ban heads to court