Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJuly 12, 2017

As expected, a Tallahassee judge has entered a written order following his decision last month that he had gotten it “wrong the first time” and said games known as “pre-reveal” are in fact illegal slot machines. Circuit Judge John Cooper this week filed a “final declaratory judgment,” which allows Gator Coin II—the Jacksonville company that distributes the games—to now appeal to […]

Jim RosicaJune 19, 2017

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In a stunning reversal, a Tallahassee judge on Monday decided he had gotten it “wrong the first time around” and said games known as “pre-reveal” are in fact illegal slot machines. Circuit Judge John Cooper, however, was quick to say his change of mind was not influenced by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, but rather by […]

Jim RosicaJune 19, 2017

Lawyers for the Seminole Tribe of Florida and companies behind what are known as “pre-reveal” games—a name they apparently disdain—will appear Monday afternoon in a Tallahassee courtroom. Circuit Judge John Cooper agreed to hear argument on why he should reconsider his previous ruling that the stand-alone consoles aren’t illegal slot machines. The devices in question use a specific software known as “Version 67.” The […]

Jim RosicaJune 12, 2017

The companies behind what are known as “pre-reveal” games say they’re “losing money every day” even after a Tallahassee judge ruled the stand-alone consoles aren’t illegal slot machines. Gator Coin II and Blue Sky Games are asking Circuit Judge John Cooper to lift an automatic stay of his March decision. Cooper, however, already has agreed to reconsider the ruling, setting […]

Jim RosicaApril 24, 2017

Seeing it as the “lesser of various evils” to pass a gambling bill this year, the House may give in to the Senate’s position to legislatively approve new slot machines in counties that passed referendums allowing them, according to those familiar with the negotiations. As of early Monday, the Conference Committee on Gaming was set to meet later […]

Peter SchorschApril 12, 2017

Illegal gambling is like cockroaches: You kill one and there are dozens more when it came from. Back in 2013, a multi-state illegal gambling investigation embarrassed the Legislature, resulted in dozens of arrests and eventually took down a lieutenant governor. Jennifer Carroll stepped down because, before her election, she provided public-relations representation to the company being […]

Jim RosicaMarch 28, 2017

If it looks like a slot machine, and plays like a slot machine, it’s a slot machine, the Seminole Tribe of Florida is telling state leaders. An order by a Tallahassee judge, first reported by FloridaPolitics.com, declared that certain slot machine-style entertainment devices aren’t slot machines under state law. The Tribe disagreed. It now says those games violate […]

Jim RosicaMarch 20, 2017

A recent ruling by a Tallahassee judge could result in Florida being inundated by a slot machine-style entertainment device in bars, arcades and even dog and horse tracks. It’s also not yet clear whether the decision could trigger a violation of the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s exclusivity rights in its gambling “compact” with the state. That […]

Tag: John Cooper

Judge files order after ruling ‘pre-reveal’ games are illegal slots

Judge reverses himself, decides ‘pre-reveal’ machines are slots

Lawyers to face off in hearing over ‘pre-reveal’ games

Pre-reveal game makers bemoan state’s ‘heavy-handed tactics’

Gambling deal may come down to slots question

With ‘pre-reveal’ games, it’s déjà vu all over again

Seminole Tribe: Judge’s slots ruling could cost state ‘multi-billions of dollars’

Rise of the (pre-reveal) machines: The coming battle in Florida gambling?