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

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 RosicaMay 16, 2017

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has given the state of Florida another multi-million dollar payday. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation reported that the tribe paid $19.5 million in gambling revenue share on Monday. The department regulates gambling. That money includes revenue share from banked card games, specifically blackjack. The tribe also offers slots. It has Vegas-style and other gambling at seven casinos […]

Jim RosicaMay 4, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott says he doesn’t understand lawmakers’ inability to pass comprehensive gambling legislation this year—especially when he gave them a head start. Scott spoke with FloridaPolitics.com reporter Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster in Naples Thursday, after a stop of his “Fighting For Florida’s Future” tour. Part of the legislative package was a deal negotiated by Scott with the Seminole […]

Jim RosicaMay 3, 2017

A Tallahassee judge has agreed to hear arguments on why he should reconsider his ruling that stand-alone consoles known as “pre-reveal” games are not illegal slot machines. Judge John Cooper set a hearing for June 19 in the Leon County Courthouse, court dockets show, after the Seminole Tribe of Florida asked to intervene. The move also puts a […]

Jim RosicaMay 2, 2017

The Seminole Tribe of Florida “will react accordingly” to the demise of a gambling bill this Legislative Session, the Tribe’s top outside lawyer said Tuesday. Chief negotiators for the House and Senate said earlier Tuesday they wouldn’t resolve their differences over the legislation before the scheduled end of the 2017 Legislative Session on Friday. When asked whether the Tribe plans […]

Jim RosicaApril 27, 2017

The Senate capitulated to the House on several issues Thursday as part of ongoing negotiations to strike a compromise on gambling legislation, while holding firm on others. But the latest offer includes a key provision desired by House Speaker Richard Corcoran, OK’ing up to 1,500 slots machines in “facilities in referendum counties” with a requirement […]

Jim RosicaApril 2, 2017

Ed. Note: A version of this story ran previously in Saturday’s “Takeaways from Tallahassee” email. It’s long been a Capitol cliché, but there are few pronouncements on a piece of legislation as inauspicious as calling something “a heavy lift.” Saying a bill is “a heavy, heavy lift” sounds even more portending of defeat. Yet that’s how […]

Staff ReportsMarch 31, 2017

Anne-Leigh Gaylord Moe, who represented the state in its losing fight with the Seminole Tribe over blackjack, has won an appointment to sit on the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court. Gov. Rick Scott announced Moe’s and five additional trial judge appointments late Friday. Moe, 38, of Tampa, is a shareholder with Bush Ross who served a […]

Tag: Seminole Compact

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

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

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

Despite lack of deal, Seminole Tribe still paying state millions

Rick Scott: Legislature’s inaction on gambling ‘doesn’t make any sense’

Jackpot? Judge could reconsider ‘pre-reveal’ slot machine ruling

Lawyer: Seminole Tribe ‘will react accordingly’ to gambling bill’s death

Senate and House move closer to deal on gambling bill

Black clouds loom over this year’s gambling bills

Attorney in state’s blackjack case one of six appointments to bench