Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaDecember 8, 2016

A Seminole Tribe of Florida spokesman Thursday declined comment on whether the tribe would stop payment to the state from its blackjack revenue. A source close to the tribe told FloridaPolitics.com on Wednesday that it’s considering not paying “one more dollar” to the state treasury without a new gambling agreement. According to a federal judge, it […]

Jim RosicaDecember 6, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott Tuesday held his cards close to his vest about the future of a gambling agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Seminole Gaming CEO Jim Allen, general counsel Jim Shore and others were in Tallahassee Monday for meetings. Scott, who spoke with reporters after a Florida Cabinet meeting, didn’t get into specifics […]

Jim RosicaNovember 22, 2016

Answering a $3 billion question, Senate President Joe Negron Tuesday said he backed passage next session of a renewed gambling agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. But Negron also said he was comfortable with related initiatives gambling opponents have said constitute an expansion of gambling in the Sunshine State. For instance, regarding counties that […]

Jim RosicaNovember 1, 2016

A month after ousting their last leader, the Seminole Tribe of Florida on Tuesday announced it has selected Marcellus W. Osceola Jr. as its new chairman. He replaces James E. Billie. The tribe’s governing council removed Billie last month, citing disagreements over “policies and procedures.” Osceola’s selection was Monday. Billie actually ran for his job again, coming in second […]

Jim RosicaOctober 5, 2016

A federal judge shellacked an attorney for the state of Florida during closing arguments Friday in a trial over whether the Seminole Tribe gets to continue offering blackjack to its casino customers. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle peppered the state’s counsel with questions about whether gambling regulators basically allowed the state’s non-tribal cardrooms to offer games that broke the exclusive […]

Associated PressOctober 5, 2016

A crucial federal trial that could shape of the future of gambling in Florida is wrapping up. Attorneys for the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the state will give their closing arguments Wednesday. The second day of trial on Tuesday revolved primarily around the testimony of top gambling regulators. The trial could decide whether the tribe can […]

Jim RosicaOctober 3, 2016

The head of the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s gambling operations Monday testified the Florida House’s Republican Leader disengaged in 2015 during blackjack renewal talks. The next thing Jim Allen knew, state Rep. Dana Young of Tampa was announcing her own legislative package, an overhaul of state gambling law that cut out the tribe. Based on […]

Jim RosicaOctober 3, 2016

Questions of “good faith” were the nub of the first day of trial between the state and the Seminole Tribe over its ability to keep offering blackjack to casino customers across Florida. Lawyers for both sides Monday focused on the elemental question of who was right and who was wrong in the beginning of this […]

Jim RosicaOctober 3, 2016

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has consolidated its control over the “Hard Rock” hotel and casino brand, buying out remaining rights from the owner-operator of Las Vegas’ Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. The deal was announced Friday in a news release. The terms were not made public. The acquisition means “the Hard Rock brand has now […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 29, 2016

With less than a week before a trial over their blackjack games begins, the Seminole Tribe of Florida has removed James E. Billie as tribal chairman. Billie was ousted Wednesday in a 4-0 vote of the tribe’s governing council, Law 360 reported, citing “various issues with policies and procedures of the chairman’s office.” Gary Bitner, spokesman for […]

Tag: Seminole Tribe of Florida

Seminoles still paying state blackjack money—for now

Rick Scott mum on meeting with Seminole Tribe

Joe Negron will support new Seminole Compact next session

In precarious position, Seminole Tribe picks new leader

Blackjack trial comes to close as judge questions state’s case

Trial over Seminole casinos to wrap up

Dana Young backed out of blackjack talks, Seminole Gaming CEO says

‘Good faith’ at issue in Seminole Tribe blackjack trial

Seminole Tribe now fully controls Hard Rock brand

James E. Billie ousted as head of state’s Seminole Tribe