Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jac VerSteegJanuary 26, 2016

What happens if the Florida Legislature refuses to ratify the Seminole Compact that Gov. Rick Scott negotiated with the Tribe? No one really knows, of course, but state Sen. Joe Abruzzo, a Boynton Beach Democrat, offered a tantalizing hint toward the end of a recent workshop by the Senate’s Regulated Industries Committee. Addressing Jim Allen, […]

Jac VerSteegJanuary 25, 2016

What happens if the Florida Legislature refuses to ratify the Seminole Compact that Gov. Rick Scott negotiated with the Tribe? No one really knows, of course, but state Sen. Joe Abruzzo, D-Boynton Beach, offered a tantalizing hint toward the end of a recent workshop by the Senate’s Regulated Industries Committee. Addressing Jim Allen, the CEO […]

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 […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 14, 2016

Attorney General Pam Bondi‘s office is getting more time to prepare legal arguments in a case over whether certain Florida dog and horse tracks can offer slot machines to guests. The Florida Supreme Court granted the request Wednesday, giving her lawyers another month to turn in their brief. Bondi’s office, specifically Solicitor General Allen Winsor, is representing […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 12, 2016

A House bill that would explicitly legalize fantasy sports play in Florida cleared its first committee on Tuesday. The House Business and Professions Subcommittee OK’d the bill (HB 707) by a 10-3 vote. Florida is among many states struggling with whether to regulate fantasy sports, and if so, how. Current Florida legislation would require fantasy operators to register […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 11, 2016

This is one of two gambling stories in advance of the 2016 Legislative Session. For a separate preview focussing on the Seminole Compact, click here. A big gambling overhaul bill won’t be on the menu this legislative session, but expect a swirl of other gaming-related topics to bubble up, including fantasy sports play and creating a state gambling commission. One […]

Jim RosicaDecember 31, 2015

The north Florida city of Gretna is siding with the operators of a racetrack there, arguing that the facility is “entitled to a license to operate slot machines.” The city filed a friend-of-the-court brief Thursday to the Florida Supreme Court in a challenge to a 1st District Court of Appeal decision that said various Florida dog and horse tracks […]

Peter SchorschJuly 31, 2015

It seems that a deal is a deal is a deal, unless it’s a compact. The Seminole Tribe of Florida negotiated a compact with the state of Florida to exclusively offer banked card games. That deal expires Friday. The tribe intends to keep dealing, and so it appears both sides will test their luck in yet another game based […]

Tag: pari-mutuels
Image via AP.

Jac VerSteeg: Sen. Joe Abruzzo’s “wide-open” alternative to the Seminole Compact

Jac VerSteeg: Sen. Joe Abruzzo’s ‘wide open’ alternative to the 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”

Pam Bondi granted more time to prep for slot machine case

Fantasy sports bill clears House committee

2016 Legislative Food Fights: Gambling issues move from spotlight to supporting role

City of Gretna files brief in slots case, sides with local track

A deal is a deal — unless it’s the Seminole Compact