Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaDecember 7, 2017

A proposal to exempt fantasy sports from state gambling regulation cleared a Senate committee Thursday—but with one notable opponent. “I don’t think the issues raised are clear,” said Sen. Dorothy Hukill, a Port Orange Republican and vice-chair of the Regulated Industries Committee, which handles gambling policy. Aside from Hukill’s ‘no’ vote, that committee otherwise moved […]

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 […]

Peter SchorschNovember 16, 2017

Gubernatorial candidates raised big bucks last month, none more so than Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam who added $1.2 million between his campaign and committee accounts. Putnam raised $571,932 of that sum through his campaign account and another $616,235 through his political committee, Florida Grown. The former congressman and state lawmaker spent a combined $466,801 from […]

Peter SchorschNovember 14, 2017

Top Republicans in the House and Senate brought in saw huge committee fundraising gains in October, with Senate Majority Leader Wilton Simpson leading the pack with $645,000 raised. Simpson, a Trilby Republican, is likely to take over as Senate President for 2021-22, brought in 75 contributions through Jobs for Florida, including nine contributions of $25,000 […]

Jim RosicaNovember 14, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott built gambling money from the Seminole Tribe of Florida into his proposed $85 billion state budget for 2018-19. The Tribe and the state this summer settled a lawsuit over its ability to exclusively offer “banked card games” such as blackjack. Since then, “the payments associated with banked card games that the state has held […]

Jim RosicaNovember 6, 2017

The state’s gambling regulators propose to delegate some of the policing of a contentious card game back to the casinos that offer them. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering, which oversees gambling, on Monday published proposed rules on “designated player” games offered at certain pari-mutuel facilities. The games have been the […]

Terry RoenSeptember 6, 2017

Hard Rock International is moving its corporate headquarters from Orlando to Hollywood in 2018. The casino, hotel and restaurant conglomerate made the announcement on its website. It will bring staffers together by joining with its ownership, The Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Seminole Gaming organization. Hard Rock has been based in Orlando since the […]

Jim RosicaAugust 28, 2017

Ed. Note — Story was updated Tuesday with comment from Pensacola track spokeswoman. State gambling regulators have filed administrative complaints against two racetracks in recent weeks, alleging that they’ve been offering illegal card games. One complaint was lodged Aug. 17 against Pensacola Greyhound Track & Poker Room, and another was filed last Thursday against the Sarasota Kennel […]

Jim RosicaAugust 21, 2017

An appellate court was on the verge of rejecting an appeal of a lower court’s decision that entertainment devices known as “pre-reveal” games are in fact illegal slot machines. Dockets at the 1st District Court of Appeal show that Gator Coin II—the Jacksonville company that distributes the games—was ordered to show “why this appeal should not […]

Tag: Seminole Tribe of Florida

Fantasy sports bill moves after one high-profile ‘no’ vote

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

Seminole Tribe fires warning letter to Legislature over fantasy sports

Adam Putnam widened fundraising lead in October, while Phil Levine made a splash

Top Republican lawmakers scored big in October fundraising reports

Blackjack cash bolsters state budget

State proposes rule changes on controversial card games

Hard Rock International to move Orlando headquarters

State files illegal card game complaints in Pensacola, Sarasota

Court asks why it shouldn’t dismiss ‘pre-reveal’ appeal