Topic: Casinos

As in 2012, legislation to allow for large casino resorts in South Florida was discussed but there was no other action. A late push by Gov. Rick Scott to call for a special session on a possible renegotiated Gaming Compact with the Seminole Tribe was also snuffed out. Read more . . .

But an effort to "decouple" racing from card rooms and slot machines falls short despite an assist from the Senate President, his wife and his son, sponsor of the companion bill in the House.

Wednesday marks Day 30 of the 2014 legislative session, and lawmakers are tempering their push for many controversial issues during an election year.

The proposal seeks to close loopholes, tightens regulations and repeals a state provision authorizing local referendums permitting slot machines outside of Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

Key senators say Gov. Rick Scott's talks with the Seminole Tribe over the Seminole Gaming Compact are critical to bills allowing new casinos in south Florida, but the Governor has been vague about when those talks might be concluded and under what terms.

House Speaker Will Weatherford's requirement that Gov. Rick Scott renegotiate the Seminole Gaming Compact with the Seminole Tribe for any casino legislation to be considered could press Scott to take a position on gambling -- something he's been reluctant to do - before the election.

The Florida Chamber of Commerce, having seen most of its agenda passed in recent years, will chase after bills that have stumbled in past legislative sessions.

As Sen. Garrett Richter, chairman of the Senate Gaming Committee, puts together a new casino bill for this year that would OK two large casinos, Sen. Andy Gardiner says he wants a statewide referendum before any new casinos are allowed in South Florida.

The 1st DCA agreed with a lower court that state regulators erred in issuing a permit for barrel racing. ... Related Research: Case No. 1D13-2660: Florida Quarter Horse Track Association, Inc v. State Of Florida.

A proposed bill allowing large casino resorts in South Florida and enacting a new gaming commission to regulate gambling operations will be published next Monday, but the legislation faces a long journey with plenty of political obstacles before making it into law.

Bets on horse races, dog races and jai alai matches continued to decline last year as revenues from poker rooms and slots climbed higher.

The Miami Democrat sent a letter to Senate President Don Gaetz on Thursday decrying the plan as against the wishes of voters, a potential traffic nightmare and perilous to the revenue from the Seminole Gaming Compact. ... Related Research: Jan. 9, 2014 Letter from Senator Gwen Margolis to President Don Gaetz.

The House is kicking around a constitutional amendment, while the Senate is attempting to balance Florida's myriad special gambling interests.

Senate Gaming Committee chairman Garrett Richter said his panel should focus any new changes to Florida's gambling laws on economic growth, but how that might be achieved is still up in the air. ... Related Research: April 6, 2010 Gaming Compact between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the State of Florida, Oct. 28, 2013 Two-Part Gaming Study: Final Report by Spectrum Gaming Group, Nov. 4, 2013 Senate Committee on Gaming meeting packet, and meeting video.