Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaFebruary 2, 2018

A lawyer for the Seminole Tribe of Florida on Friday said his client is offended over gambling that violates its exclusive agreement with the state and won’t agree to a new deal unless “the games end.” Barry Richard, the Tribe’s outside counsel, and tribal leaders met with Sen. Bill Galvano and Rep. Jose Oliva this week […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 26, 2018

The House on Friday dropped its 83-page omnibus gambling bill for 2018, which reads like a love letter to the Seminole Tribe of Florida and a poison pen missive to nearly all the other gambling interests in the state. Industry representatives privately admitted the legislation—overseen by Speaker-designate Jose Oliva—was a placeholder for the House to pass, […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 26, 2018

A Senate bill to exempt fantasy sports play from state gambling regulation cleared its last committee this week, making it available for the floor. But there are still big ‘if’s that could blow up the gambling exclusivity deal, known as the Seminole Compact, between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Here’s the staff analysis: […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 25, 2018

State government can’t count on continued money from Seminole Tribe of Florida casinos, a roundtable of state economists decided Thursday. After taking a pass on the issue earlier this month, the Revenue Estimating Conference agreed to label the money—over $200 million a year—”nonrecurring.” In other words, not likely to repeat. Lawmakers can still decide to count the expected funds […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 23, 2018

The House panel charged with handling gambling issues unanimously OK’d a bill to exempt fantasy sports play from state gambling regulation. The House Tourism and Gaming Control Subcommittee cleared the measure (HB 223) with little debate on Tuesday. One representative, Republican Randy Fine of Brevard County, voted for the bill despite his belief that fantasy sports play was […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 17, 2018

The Senate on Wednesday began moving its omnibus gambling bill for 2018 without addressing one looming issue sure to cause headaches: Sports betting. And there’s a reason it’s not in this year’s legislation (SB 840), according to Sen. Travis Hutson, chair of the Regulated Industries Committee: To avoid a meltdown with the Seminole Tribe of […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 9, 2018

A roundtable of state economists Tuesday decided to take a pass on adopting a forecast for Indian gambling dollars that flow to the state. The Seminole Tribe of Florida pays over $200 million a year into state coffers as part of a deal that guarantees it exclusivity to offer certain games, especially blackjack. And even […]

Jim RosicaDecember 13, 2017

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has filed suit against 25 operators of what’s called “electronic gambling parlors” in the Jacksonville area, saying they violate the Tribe’s deal with the state to exclusively offer Vegas-style games. The suit was filed in Duval County Circuit Civil court last week, records show. The gambling parlors “infringe upon the […]

Jim RosicaDecember 6, 2017

State Sen. Dana Young is defending her fantasy sports bill for 2018, saying the Seminole Tribe’s criticism of her measure and related legislation is “off point.” On Wednesday, the Tampa Republican referred to a February legal opinion by former Florida Supreme Court Justice Ken Bell for DraftKings, a leading fantasy sports website. The day before, the […]

Jim RosicaDecember 6, 2017

The Seminole Tribe of Florida‘s top in-house lawyer told lawmakers this week that their fantasy sports bills are a dealbreaker. A $200 million dealbreaker. The Tribe now says fantasy sports bills filed for the 2018 Legislative Session, if passed, would violate the Seminole Compact. That’s the gambling agreement struck by the state and the Seminoles […]

Tag: Seminole Compact

Seminole Tribe ‘insulted,’ doesn’t need gambling deal, lawyer says

House gambling bill to pari-mutuels: Drop dead

Despite Seminole concerns, fantasy sports bill ready in Senate

‘Risky money’: Gambling dollars unlikely to repeat, forecasters say

Fantasy sports bill moves along in House

The big thing that’s not in the Senate’s gambling bill

All in—or out? Gambling revenue puzzles state economists

Seminole Tribe now going after Jax ‘gambling parlors’

Seminole Tribe criticism of fantasy sports is ‘off point,’ Dana Young says

Seminole Tribe fires warning letter to Legislature over fantasy sports