Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaNovember 19, 2018

The next big debate over gambling in Florida could be on sports betting — with one top lawmaker already flexing his muscle regarding lawmakers’ say over it. This month, voters approved Amendment 3, also known as the “Voter Control of Gambling” amendment, by 71 percent. Its aim: To “ensure that Florida voters shall have the […]

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 […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 5, 2017

An appellate court on Tuesday unanimously reversed state regulators in favor of a ragtag north Florida horse track looking to become a “first-class (gambling) facility.” The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering last year rejected an administrative law judge’s tossing out of the state’s complaint that Hamilton Downs ran “flag drop” races contrary to […]

Jim RosicaMay 27, 2016

Despite “nothing about Hamilton Downs (being) real in terms of racetrack standards,” an administrative law judge nonetheless sided with the north Florida horse track, tossing out the state’s complaint that the track ran “flag drop” races contrary to its license. Administrative Law Judge E. Gary Early submitted his recommended order on Thursday, dismissing the action by state pari-mutuel regulators. […]

Jac VerSteegFebruary 17, 2016

Sen. Joe Negron’s SB 832 declares that “fantasy contests” — meaning endeavors such as DraftKings and FanDuel — “involve the skill of contest participants and do not constitute gambling, gaming or games of chance.” Negron, R-Stuart and a Senate-president-to-be, would regulate this non-gambling via a newly created Office of Amusement. It’s not “gambling,” it’s an […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 10, 2016

With the half-way mark of the 60-day 2016 Legislative Session on Wednesday, the theme so far is like a line from a Frankie Valli song: “… so close/And yet so far.” Take the 2016-17 state budget, the only bill lawmakers are required to pass each year. The House came in at $79.9 billion with the Senate […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 5, 2016

The Florida Senate and House of Representatives on Friday filed their gambling legislation for the 2016 Legislative Session, including the $3 billion Seminole Compact, a proposed “voter control of gambling expansion” amendment and two different rewrites of the state’s gambling code. The Senate’s version, posted at 4:29 p.m., is 81 pages and the House’s is 102 pages. There […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 25, 2016

One of the hottest issues facing lawmakers in the 2016 Legislative Session is the regulation of the daily fantasy sports industry. Moving toward that goal is HB 707: Fantasy Contests, sponsored by state Rep. Matt Gaetz, has recently move out the Business & Professions Subcommittee, its first stop in the Florida House. What the bill seeks to […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 19, 2016

The head of an anti-gambling expansion group Tuesday announced a three-front war as lawmakers prepare to consider a sweeping deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida that he said could “lead to the largest gambling expansion in state history.” John Sowinski, president of the Orlando-based No Casinos, told reporters he plans a legislative, legal and […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 15, 2016

One of the Legislature’s most stalwart opponents to gambling and its expansion in the Sunshine State nonetheless voted for a House bill that would explicitly legalize fantasy sports play in Florida. State Rep. Scott Plakon, a Longwood Republican, sits on the House Business and Professions Subcommittee that OK’d the bill (HB 707) by a 10-3 vote earlier […]

Tag: horse racing
Stock image via Adobe.

‘The will of the people’: The coming brouhaha over sports betting in Florida

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

Court overrules regulators regarding ‘flag drop’ races

Judge sides with track over ‘flag drop’ races

Jac VerSteeg: Fantasy sports aren’t gambling? How amusing

Gut check: Legislative Session reaches midpoint

Legislature files gambling bills, including Seminole Compact

5 questions for Fantasy Sports Trade Association after DFS bill first committee stop

No Casinos promises multifront war on gambling

Scott Plakon: Fantasy sports play legal “under current law”