Topic: Florida Lottery

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 . . .

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.

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.

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.

In addition, a University of Florida survey commissioned by Spectrum found there's much acceptance of gambling in Florida, but that most people who are in favor of large destination-type casinos would not want to live near one. ... Related Research: Senate Gaming Committee meeting materials and video.

The State Board of Education meets this week to consider, among other things, Education Commissioner Tony Bennett's plan to ease up on school grading as Common Core standards are implemented. There will also be revenue estimating conferences to consider the state's income from gaming, tobacco taxes and school trust funds, and the state of the Florida Economy. And there will be a teleconference to discuss finding sponsors for seven state trails.

Zephyrhills woman takes $371 million lump sum won with a ticket purchased after a polite gesture by a fellow player. ... Related Research: June 5, 2013 Press release from the Florida Lottery.

The St. Augustine Republican said he wants to take a timeout on the Internet sweepstakes cafés while the Legislature takes a year to study gambling laws.

Senate Gaming Committee Chairman Garrett Richter sees the study as the foundation of a possible overhaul of gambling laws based on "facts and data." ... Related Research: Memo "House and Senate jointly invite proposals for a comprehensive gaming study," and Invitation to Negotiate ITN 859: Two-Part Gaming Study.

Both the House and Senate will take this year to conduct comprehensive studies of gambling in Florida, and to prepare a bill for 2014, but that doesn't mean this year will be without drama.

Rep. Rob Schenck, R-Spring Hill, has been named as chairman of the 18-member panel, which is made up of 12 Republicans and six Democrats, what will review the state's various gambling laws. ... Related Research: Memos from House Speaker Will Weatherford: announcement naming Rep. Rob Schenck Chair of Select Committee on Gaming, and Letter to Robert L. Ward, Clerk of the Florida House of Representatives.

Pari-mutuels and anti-gambling forces made presentations before the Senate Gaming Committee on Tuesday, with both agreeing that internet sweepstakes cafes should be removed from the legal "gray area" in which they operate. ... Related Research: Jan. 22, 2013 Senate Committee on Gaming meeting packet, and meeting video.

Senate Gaming Committee Chairman Garrett Richter, R-Naples, said the Legislature will contract with a third party for a comprehensive study of gambling in the state. ... Related Research: Jan. 14, 2013 Senate Committee on Gaming meeting packet and Senate Committee on Gaming meeting video from WFSU-TV/The FLORIDA Channel.

Florida will gain $8.1 million in revenue for education next year under legislation passed by the House on Thursday that allows state Lottery vending machines to expand the type of games they sell.