Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Jim RosicaMarch 8, 2017

Bill Galvano, the Florida Senate’s point man on gambling, has told the Seminole Tribe of Florida “inaction … is not an option” this year. Galvano, the Bradenton Republican in line to be Senate President in 2018-20, responded this week to a letter sent by Tribal Chairman Marcellus Osceola to legislative leaders and Gov. Rick Scott. Both […]

Jim RosicaMarch 1, 2017

The nation’s top Indian gambling regulator last year told the Seminole Tribe of Florida that the federal government would be “hard-pressed” to approve its new blackjack agreement with the state. The tribe on Tuesday disclosed the June 2016 letter from Paula L. Hart, director of the U.S. Department of Interior’s Office of Indian Gaming, as an attachment to its own […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 23, 2017

A wide-sweeping gambling bill is now ready to be heard by the full Senate when the 2017 Legislative Session kicks off next month, after it cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee this morning. The bill (SB 8), sponsored by Sen. Bill Galvano, ratifies the 2015 Seminole Compact, subject to the approval of amendments to conform the […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 26, 2017

House Speaker Richard Corcoran is saving the profanities—for now. At a Thursday press availability, Corcoran was asked about comments by a lobbyist involved in this year’s gambling legislation, which the Senate has taken the lead on with an omnibus bill (SB 8). The person was overheard in a Capitol corridor saying he had spoken with the […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 25, 2017

The Florida Senate has seemingly fast-tracked the chamber’s gambling overhaul for this year, as its first panel gave unanimous thumbs up to the measure one hour into a meeting that had been scheduled to last four. The bill (SB 8) was cleared Wednesday by the Regulated Industries committee, which oversees gambling policy. It has only one […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 19, 2017

The state of Florida has filed an appeal to a federal judge’s ruling allowing the Seminole Tribe to keep offering blackjack at its casinos. The 7-page “notice of appeal” to the 11th U.S Circuit Court of Appeals was filed Thursday by Jason Maine, general counsel to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, which regulates […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 12, 2017

This year’s first big gambling bill has something for everyone: Lottery ticket sales at gas pumps, fantasy sports, more slot machines, and a provision to finally OK the long-delayed gambling agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. As he promised, state Sen. Bill Galvano filed this year’s bill (SB 8) on Thursday afternoon, coming in at […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 12, 2017

The chair of the House’s gambling policy panel Thursday made clear what the elephant in the committee room would be this legislative session. “Everything we do is connected to this gaming compact,” said state Rep. Mike La Rosa, referring to the pending renewal of an agreement between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. […]

Tag: Seminole Compact

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?

Bill Galvano tells Seminole Tribe his gambling bill “will move forward”

Letter: Feds may not have approved new Seminole Compact

Senate Appropriations votes 14-2 to OK gambling bill, now cleared for Senate floor

Richard Corcoran already vexed by Senate gambling plan

Senate panel OKs gambling overhaul bill, including Seminole provisions

State appeals federal ruling on Seminole Tribe blackjack

Bill Galvano files 112-page gambling bill for 2017

Lawmakers get ready for Seminole Compact, gambling debate