Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaOctober 2, 2017

A proposed constitutional amendment aimed at limiting gambling’s expansion in the state now has more than 600,000 signatures, its backers said Monday. Voters in Charge, the political committee behind the amendment, said it’s “over halfway towards its goal of gathering 1.1 million signatures in order to reach the required number of 766,200 valid petitions to […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 5, 2017

An appellate court on Tuesday unanimously reversed state regulators in favor of a ragtag north Florida horse track looking to become a “first-class (gambling) facility.” The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering last year rejected an administrative law judge’s tossing out of the state’s complaint that Hamilton Downs ran “flag drop” races contrary to […]

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 […]

Jim RosicaJuly 14, 2017

A proposed constitutional amendment aimed at limiting gambling’s expansion in the state is now over the 100,000 signature mark. Division of Elections records show the “Voter Control of Gambling” amendment now has 104,416 signatures toward getting on the 2018 statewide ballot. But that’s still a long way from the 766,200 signatures needed for the initiative’s ballot placement. […]

Jim RosicaJuly 12, 2017

As expected, a Tallahassee judge has entered a written order following his decision last month that he had gotten it “wrong the first time” and said games known as “pre-reveal” are in fact illegal slot machines. Circuit Judge John Cooper this week filed a “final declaratory judgment,” which allows Gator Coin II—the Jacksonville company that distributes the games—to now appeal to […]

Jim RosicaJune 19, 2017

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In a stunning reversal, a Tallahassee judge on Monday decided he had gotten it “wrong the first time around” and said games known as “pre-reveal” are in fact illegal slot machines. Circuit Judge John Cooper, however, was quick to say his change of mind was not influenced by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, but rather by […]

Jim RosicaJune 19, 2017

Lawyers for the Seminole Tribe of Florida and companies behind what are known as “pre-reveal” games—a name they apparently disdain—will appear Monday afternoon in a Tallahassee courtroom. Circuit Judge John Cooper agreed to hear argument on why he should reconsider his previous ruling that the stand-alone consoles aren’t illegal slot machines. The devices in question use a specific software known as “Version 67.” The […]

Jim RosicaJune 12, 2017

The companies behind what are known as “pre-reveal” games say they’re “losing money every day” even after a Tallahassee judge ruled the stand-alone consoles aren’t illegal slot machines. Gator Coin II and Blue Sky Games are asking Circuit Judge John Cooper to lift an automatic stay of his March decision. Cooper, however, already has agreed to reconsider the ruling, setting […]

Jim RosicaJune 5, 2017

Lawyers for a North Florida racetrack have asked the state’s Supreme Court to rehear argument in a case over whether pari-mutuels can add slot machines in counties that passed referendums allowing them. Gretna Racing‘s motion for rehearing was filed late Friday, court dockets show. The horse track, also known as Creek Entertainment/Gretna, is managed and operated […]

Jim RosicaMay 22, 2017

With the state Supreme Court’s decision last week striking down the possibility of a slot machine expansion, what’s next? A unanimous court ruled against pari-mutuels seeking to add slot machines in counties that passed a referendum in support of them: Brevard, Duval, Gadsden, Hamilton, Lee, Palm Beach, St. Lucie and Washington. Those concerns are holding […]

Tag: Slot machines

Gambling amendment now has 600K signatures

Court overrules regulators regarding ‘flag drop’ races

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

Gambling control amendment surpasses 100,000 signatures

Judge files order after ruling ‘pre-reveal’ games are illegal slots

Judge reverses himself, decides ‘pre-reveal’ machines are slots

Lawyers to face off in hearing over ‘pre-reveal’ games

Pre-reveal game makers bemoan state’s ‘heavy-handed tactics’

New deal? Gretna asks court to reconsider slots ruling

Pari-mutuels subdued on next steps after Supreme Court slots decision