Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMay 31, 2016

A plethora of high-profile matters is scheduled for argument before the Florida Supreme Court next week. The state’s justices will consider questions related to gambling, guns, capital punishment and medical malpractice. Another case involves claim bills, passed by lawmakers to pay people for injuries suffered at the hands of government or a public entity. Still two others involve attorneys […]

Jim RosicaMay 27, 2016

Despite “nothing about Hamilton Downs (being) real in terms of racetrack standards,” an administrative law judge nonetheless sided with the north Florida horse track, tossing out the state’s complaint that the track ran “flag drop” races contrary to its license. Administrative Law Judge E. Gary Early submitted his recommended order on Thursday, dismissing the action by state pari-mutuel regulators. […]

Jim RosicaApril 19, 2016

A north Florida racetrack seeking slot machines is delving into legislative history to bolster its case. Gretna Racing’s lawyer on Tuesday submitted documents from the 2009 session to sway the Florida Supreme Court to expand slots play throughout the state. A ruling for the track could result in what critics fear will be the single biggest gambling expansion in the […]

Jim RosicaMarch 31, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court has set June 7 as the date it will hear oral argument in a case on expanding slot machines in the state. The announcement was in a docket filing added Thursday. “A maximum of 20 minutes to the side is allowed for the argument,” the entry says. Gretna Racing, the Gadsden County track seeking to add […]

Jim RosicaMarch 23, 2016

With a proposed $3 billion gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida having died this past legislative session, the tribe’s lawyer on Tuesday said its fight to keep blackjack in tribal casinos now moves to a federal court. Barry Richard, a Greenberg Traurig shareholder based in Tallahassee, is representing the tribe in a case against […]

Drew WilsonMarch 11, 2016

The United Florida Horsemen said they were “relieved” the 2016 Legislative Session ended without lawmakers’ approval of decoupling for Florida pari-mutuels. “Even though decoupling as part of the Seminole Gaming Compact legislation was declared ‘dead’ last Friday, March 4, a hostile decoupling amendment had been quietly filed the same day to HB 1187 and later […]

Jim RosicaMarch 11, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court Friday denied a request from former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham to participate in oral argument in a case on expanding slot machines in the state. Graham has filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the matter brought by Gretna Racing, the Gadsden County track seeking to add slot machines. Graham, a Democrat who was governor 1979-87 and […]

Phil AmmannMarch 2, 2016

Gambling interests have lined up in the Capitol to lobby for their long-held dream of remaking Florida in the image of Las Vegas and Atlantic City. As the Legislature considers their requests for more and bigger casinos, I would caution the following: Not so fast. Any action the Legislature may take to expand gambling – […]

Jim RosicaMarch 2, 2016

Lawyers for Gretna Racing, the Gadsden County track seeking to add slot machines, this week asked the Florida Supreme Court to toss out former Gov. Bob Graham‘s friend-of-the-court brief in their case, saying he “has no right to raise a new issue from his position as a nonparty.” Graham’s brief opposes the operators of the racetrack. They argue they should be […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 29, 2016

Gambling interests have lined up in the State Capital, lobbying for their long-held dream of remaking Florida in the image of Las Vegas and Atlantic City. As the Florida Legislature considers their requests for more and bigger casinos, I would caution the following: Not so fast. Any action the Legislature may take to expand gambling […]

Tag: Slot machines

Bevy of big cases awaits state Supreme Court

Judge sides with track over ‘flag drop’ races

Racetrack seeking slots files legislative documents to boost case

Florida Supreme Court orders oral argument in slots case

Seminole Tribe’s lawyer now watching court cases after Compact’s demise

United Florida Horsemen “relieved” Session ends without decoupling

Supreme Court rejects Bob Graham’s bid to argue in gambling case

John Sowinski: Gambling proposals may violate Florida Constitution

Bock, bock: Gambling opponents call racetrack’s lawyers chickens

John Sowinski: Gambling proposals may violate Florida Constitution