Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMarch 10, 2018

Just as it always does in recent years, a legislative effort to revisit the state’s gambling laws tanked in the last week of this year’s Legislative Session. Senate President Joe Negron and House Speaker Richard Corcoran released a joint statement Friday night: “Despite the good faith efforts of both the House and Senate, a gaming bill […]

Jim RosicaMarch 9, 2018

The Florida Legislature’s last best chance to pass comprehensive legislation on gambling came up a bad beat on Friday, with a conference committee calling it quits. Senate President Joe Negron and House Speaker Richard Corcoran released a joint statement Friday night. “Despite the good faith efforts of both the House and Senate, a gaming bill […]

Jim RosicaMarch 9, 2018

The House’s turn to deal in talks toward an omnibus gambling bill produced an proposal for five new “limited gaming” licenses for either 500 slots or designated player games—but not both. And designated player games, a hybrid of poker and blackjack that’s proved lucrative to pari-mutuel cardrooms, would be banned everywhere else. And no new pari-mutuel, […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2018

The Florida Senate on Wednesday passed the latest version of comprehensive gambling legislation for 2018, and asked the House to go into conference to bang out a compromise. Bill sponsor Travis Hutson offered an amendment to the House bill (HB 7067) that already passed off the floor. The chamber OK’d it 22-10, sending it back. Hutson—a St. Augustine […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2018

A consortium of pari-mutuel owners is working on a proposal to increase the money they give to the state if lawmakers agree to grant slot machines in counties that OK’d them in local referendums, industry sources told Florida Politics early Wednesday. The play is to match or beat the revenue share—estimated at $200 million-$300 million […]

Jim RosicaMarch 5, 2018

With only one member commenting, the House swiftly passed its omnibus gambling bill for 2018, setting up a possible conference of the two chambers. The bill (HB 7067) was OK’d on a 70-40 vote, with Republican Halsey Beshears of Monticello and Tom Goodson of Rockledge joining the Democrats in voting ‘no.’ Bill sponsor Mike La […]

Jim RosicaMarch 3, 2018

The House on Friday briefly discussed a measure that would ban video game consoles found in bars that look and play like slot machines. The bill (HB 1367) now will be up for a vote Monday. Longwood Republican Scott Plakon‘s measure expressly makes them illegal under state gambling law. The Seminole Tribe of Florida, which has exclusive […]

Jim RosicaMarch 2, 2018

The House and Senate gambling bills were heard separately Friday, but one lawmaker already is folding his hand. “The chances of a gaming bill passing this session are none,” said Rep. Joe Abruzzo, a Boynton Beach Democrat. “Let’s go home.” A strike-all amendment had been OK’d on the Senate’s legislation (SB 840) in the Appropriations […]

Jim RosicaMarch 1, 2018

A strike-all amendment planned for the Senate’s 2018 gambling bill will add an authorization for slot machines in counties where voters OK’d them in local referendums, Senate President-designate Bill Galvano said Thursday. The Senate bill (SB 840) is now slated for consideration before the Appropriations Committee Friday. Galvano, a Bradenton Republican, is the Senate’s lead […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 22, 2018

Danielle Babilino will become senior vice president of global sales and marketing for Seminole Tribe-controlled Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos, the company announced Thursday. Babilino was most recently executive vice president of sales and marketing for Alon Las Vegas, the proposed luxury hotel and casino on the Strip. She now will have “overall responsibility for the […]

Tag: Seminole Tribe of Florida
Sen Rick Scott in Sarasota. Photo by Jacob Ogles.

Sunshine State gambling #fails: A short history (updated for 2018)

Snake eyes: Gambling bill dies for 2018

House strikes back on gambling: Five ‘limited gaming’ licenses

Senate passes gambling bill, requests conference

As Session creeps to close, blockbuster gambling deal emerges

With little ado, House passes 2018 gaming bill

‘Pre-reveal’: Entertainment or gambling? Legislature may decide

Sucker bet? Gambling bills on the move in both chambers

Reanimated: Senate gambling bill, with changes, back in play

Personnel note: Danielle Babilino joins Hard Rock in Florida