Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 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 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

A bill to ban pre-reveal games, slot machine-style entertainment consoles, was rescued Thursday in a procedural move after it initially failed on a tie vote. The measure (HB 1367) now is available for the floor after a subsequent motion in the House Commerce Committee to reconsider the bill won the day. The pre-reveal concept has […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 12, 2018

The Senate made some big moves Friday in the annual legislative dance that is the negotiation for an omnibus gambling bill. The biggest move: The chamber now includes a renewed 20-year deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida for $3 billion in revenue over seven years in return for exclusive rights to blackjack and slot […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 8, 2018

Screen-Shot-2018-02-08-at-2.14.28-PM.png

As owners of the state’s dog and horse tracks fret over a legislative deal this year, House Speaker Richard Corcoran on Thursday didn’t back down from his position that there be “an absolute contraction” of gambling in the state. But he also didn’t make clear what a “contraction” actually looks like, and whether that could […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 6, 2018

The Senate’s point man on gambling issues Tuesday said he sees “a way forward” on a grand gambling bargain—but also suggested lawmakers may have to fold ’em and walk away. Senate President-designate Bill Galvano, a Bradenton Republican, is representing his chamber as he and House Speaker-designate Jose Oliva try to land a comprehensive gambling bill that’s eluded […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 2, 2018

You’d think Joe Negron would have learned by now that when it comes to gambling and the Legislature, you can’t always get what you want. Actually, you can’t even get what you need. But when it comes to what’s fair for voters, shouldn’t you fight like hell? In a media availability after Thursday’s floor session, […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 2, 2018

A north Florida lawmaker has filed legislation to again allow Gadsden County to hold a “countywide referendum” on authorizing slot machine gambling at a local race track. Rep. Ramon Alexander, a Democrat who represents Gadsden and part of Leon County, filed the bill (HB 1111) Tuesday for the 2018 Legislative Session starting next week. But […]

Tag: Slot machines
Debate party at Sports Grill Kendall. Image via AP.

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

Senate passes gambling bill, requests conference

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

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

Pre-reveal games ban barely survives in House

Ante up: Senate files new 90-page gambling bill

On Richard Corcoran, gambling and third-graders

Bill Galvano hopeful—but not betting—on gambling resolution

Joe Negron and a reckoning (or not) on gambling

Bill would pave way for slot machines in north Florida