Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaAugust 22, 2016

Florida gambling regulators have objected to parts of an administrative law judge’s ruling on poker-style card games being run at a Jacksonville card room. The Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering, part of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, filed exceptions last week to Judge Suzanne Van Wyk‘s Aug. 1. order. Specifically, it disagrees with her decision to dismiss part […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2016

A Jacksonville pari-mutuel is breaking the state’s ban on blackjack-style card games, an administrative law judge said Monday. In what is considered a test case on wildly popular poker-type games, Judge Suzanne Van Wyk determined Jacksonville Kennel Club, operating as the bestbet Jacksonville poker room, was “conducting unauthorized card games” and recommended a $4,500 fine. Though such games reportedly bring in […]

Jim RosicaJune 20, 2016

Opponents of a proposed constitutional amendment on gambling are asking permission from the Florida Supreme Court to argue against it at a future hearing. Marc Dunbar, a lawyer-lobbyist who represents dog and horse tracks, filed a request for oral argument Monday, court dockets show. He filed on behalf of “Floridians for Clarity in Gaming Control.” […]

Jim RosicaJune 7, 2016

A lawyer for a small North Florida racetrack told the Florida Supreme Court Tuesday the Legislature intended to allow for an expansion of slot machines in the state. Marc Dunbar, attorney for Gretna Racing, told the justices it was “the easiest case you’re going to hear today.” He said counties were empowered under the constitution and state law […]

Jim RosicaApril 19, 2016

A north Florida racetrack seeking slot machines is delving into legislative history to bolster its case. Gretna Racing’s lawyer on Tuesday submitted documents from the 2009 session to sway the Florida Supreme Court to expand slots play throughout the state. A ruling for the track could result in what critics fear will be the single biggest gambling expansion in the […]

Jim RosicaMarch 31, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court has set June 7 as the date it will hear oral argument in a case on expanding slot machines in the state. The announcement was in a docket filing added Thursday. “A maximum of 20 minutes to the side is allowed for the argument,” the entry says. Gretna Racing, the Gadsden County track seeking to add […]

Jim RosicaMarch 23, 2016

With a proposed $3 billion gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida having died this past legislative session, the tribe’s lawyer on Tuesday said its fight to keep blackjack in tribal casinos now moves to a federal court. Barry Richard, a Greenberg Traurig shareholder based in Tallahassee, is representing the tribe in a case against […]

Drew WilsonMarch 11, 2016

The United Florida Horsemen said they were “relieved” the 2016 Legislative Session ended without lawmakers’ approval of decoupling for Florida pari-mutuels. “Even though decoupling as part of the Seminole Gaming Compact legislation was declared ‘dead’ last Friday, March 4, a hostile decoupling amendment had been quietly filed the same day to HB 1187 and later […]

Jim RosicaMarch 11, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court Friday denied a request from former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham to participate in oral argument in a case on expanding slot machines in the state. Graham has filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the matter brought by Gretna Racing, the Gadsden County track seeking to add slot machines. Graham, a Democrat who was governor 1979-87 and […]

Jim RosicaMarch 2, 2016

Lawyers for Gretna Racing, the Gadsden County track seeking to add slot machines, this week asked the Florida Supreme Court to toss out former Gov. Bob Graham‘s friend-of-the-court brief in their case, saying he “has no right to raise a new issue from his position as a nonparty.” Graham’s brief opposes the operators of the racetrack. They argue they should be […]

Tag: pari-mutuels
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

State files exceptions to card game ruling

Judge rules poker-style card games break state law

Gambling advocates seek oral argument against amendment

Lawmakers intended slots expansion, lawyer argues

Racetrack seeking slots files legislative documents to boost case

Florida Supreme Court orders oral argument in slots case

Seminole Tribe’s lawyer now watching court cases after Compact’s demise

United Florida Horsemen “relieved” Session ends without decoupling

Supreme Court rejects Bob Graham’s bid to argue in gambling case

Bock, bock: Gambling opponents call racetrack’s lawyers chickens