Compact would cost Fla. revenue
(Wednesday - December 31, 2008
Mrs. Havernick Speaks Out!
A future in the cards?
(Sunday - December 28, 2008
From a Horse Point of View!
Powerful forces oppose Seminoles' gambling expansion
(Friday - December 19, 2008
More lawsuits are filed!
South Florida pari-mutuels form coalition in table games quest
(Wednesday - December 17, 2008
Want same games as Indian casinos!
Special Session on Budget in January
(Tuesday - December 16, 2008
Gaming compact one source of needed state revenue
THE ISSUE: House looks at gaming
Tallahassee still split over tribe’s games
(Monday - December 15, 2008
Immokalee casino unveils blackjack tables
Gambling deal to get intense review
(Thursday - December 11, 2008
Compact excludes most Pari-Mutuals in state!
Lawmakers to review Crist's gambling pact with Seminoles
(Wednesday - December 10, 2008
Senator Jones Says Everything Back on Table!
McCollum renews call for halt to Vegas-style gambling
(Monday, November 24, 2008
© 2008 St. Petersburg Times
Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum renewed his call Monday for federal regulators to stop the Seminole Tribe from offering slot machines and blackjack at its Florida casinos. He cited a Florida Supreme Court decision that a deal signed by the tribe and Gov. Charlie Crist to allow the games is invalid.
McCollum cited the tribe's decision to begin blackjack, baccarat and other card games played against the house at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Tampa on Nov. 14. "I am deeply concerned that the Tribe continues to defiantly ignore the decision of the Florida Supreme Court," he wrote in a letter to Philip Hogen, chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission.
U.S. asked to shut down Seminole slots, card games
(Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Attorney General is trying!
Florida Gaming Feels Wall Street FallOut
(Thursday, October 09,2008
Palm Beach Post/South Florida Sun-Sentinel Articles
Florida attorney general seeks help from feds
(SunSentinel - Sept. 20 ,2008)
Cards keep being dealt!
Tribe's winning hand
(Miami Herald Editorial - Sept. 15,
2008)
Petition On Invalidated Gaming Agreement Rejected
(Tampa Tribune - Sept. 12 ,2008)
Seminole Gambling Issues Continue to Boil!
Rescue gambling deal by working
with both pari-mutuels and Seminoles
(South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Saturday, August 16, 2008)
Geller Addresses Gaming Issues!
Ex-police officer heads state business regulation
Associatedd Press Release
Thursday, July 31, 2008
TALLAHASSEE: A former police official is the new permanent head of the state agency that regulates Florida's businesses and professions.
Gov. Charlie Crist appointed Charles Drago on Thursday.
Drago spent 30 years with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department and
then served as police chief of Oviedo before becoming deputy secretary
of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation last year.
He was named interim secretary in February, replacing Holly Benson
after Crist named her to head the Agency for Health Care Administration.
Drago's responsibilities include regulating pari-mutuel gambling, alcoholic
beverages, hotels, restaurants, real estate agents, veterinarians,
accountants, contractors and cosmetologists.
Rubio pushes for an end to Seminoles' blackjack
Copyright © 2008, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
House Speaker Marco Rubio wants the Florida Supreme Court to reject the Seminole
Tribe's bid for a new hearing, saying it's time to start figuring out how to stop blackjack
on reservation land. The court on July 3 voided a contract between Gov. Charlie Crist and
the tribe allowing blackjack at the tribe's seven casinos, ruling Crist acted without
authority.
The tribe continues operating the games despite promising to comply with the court
order, according to Rubio's motion. The tribe says its sovereign status means only the
federal government can make it stop.
Rubio's motion asked for a quick decision so all involved can "begin the difficult task of
giving effect to the court's decision."
Crist's deal with the Seminoles — expanded gaming in exchange for at least $100
million a year to the state — needed legislative approval, the court ruled.
Seminoles ask court to reconsider gambling pact
Geller calls it a "Stall Technique!"
Daytona's News_Journal posted an editorial (Saturday, July 10th) giving yet another twist to the casino issue. They suggest a repeal the 2004 constitutional amendment that gave slot machines their first toehold in Florida.
Sen. Geller thinks Ruling is WRONG!
Miami Herald and South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports for Thursday, July 10, 2008.
Seminoles Still Dealing Blackjack!
1) South Florida Sun-Sentinel - Seminoles/Governor Meet
(Tuesday, July 08, 2008)
2) Sun-Sentinel Editorial Board - Legislature holds key
(Tuesday, July 08, 2008)
3) Miami Herald - Pompano casino targets Seminole gaming
(Tuesday, July 08, 2008)
Palm Beach Post Editorial - FLORIDA BETS ON GAMBLING
(Tuesday, July 08, 2008)
The Tampa Tribune - Editorial - Gambling Governor Loses His Deal
(Tuesday, July 08, 2008)
What Papers Around State are printing!
Florida Supreme Court invalidates
state's casino compact with Seminoles
Associated Press
Copyright © 2008, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
Thursday (11:27 AM EDT) July 3, 2008
TALLAHASSEE: The Florida Supreme Court is overturning the agreement Gov. Charlie Crist signed with the Seminole Tribe to expand gambling at its casinos.
The court ruled Thursday that Crist doesn't have the constitutional authority to enter into the agreement that allows Las Vegas-style slot machines, black jack and other card games at facilities like the Hard Rock Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood.
House Speaker Marco Rubio challenged the agreement after Crist signed it in November. The tribe has already given the state $50 million as part of the deal that was expected to generate at least $100 million a year for the state.
Link to Sun-Sentinel
Senate President comments
Full Text of Supreme Court Decision
Adobe Reader necessary to read this decision - if you do not have it Click Here to Download
Mardi Gras Racetrack poker room to go 24 hours
(June 24,2008)
Loophole in another law!
2008 Legislative Report
(May 6, 2008)
Click Here for Full Account
Speedway Corp. takes over old dog track
(May 21, 2008)
Daytona's New Track Ready!
Legislation would let dog race gambling expand
(March 21, 2008)
Track owners also could get tax cuts
SB 1380 Passes Senate! House Challenge Next Showdown!
Tallahassee Florida: The Florida Senate today voted 27 to 11 to approve SB 1380 by Senator Dennis Jones to authorize electronic gaming machines in all pari-mutuel facilities in Florida.
This Bill contains a provision requiring that Greyhound Tracks have a contract with the Florida Greyhound Association (FGA) governing payments of purse enhancement.
Link to SB 1380.
The Bill now goes to the Florida House where it faces opposition. It is only by the Tracks and the Greyhound Men and Women being united that we will we be able to overcome this opposition.
The Florida Legislative Session does not end until the first week in May. We will not know the final outcome until that time.
Jack Cory
FGA/NGA Chief Lobbyist
Public Affairs Consultants Inc.
Senate Oks Slot Bills
(March 13/14, 2008)
News Comments From Around State
Economy may shift odds to OK slots
(March 9, 2008)
Palm Beach Kennel Club Has Plans
Legislators place their bets on gambling
(March 4, 2008)
Session Opens Today!
Miami Herald Article
Bill to expand slots to all tracks advances in Senate
(February 7, 2008)
Now the Long Journey Begins!
Supreme Court Hears Arguements
(January 31, 2008)
Justices Will have Final say on Compact!
Dade County Voters Approve Slots for Miami/Dade
(January 30, 2008)
Resounding "Yes" heard around State!
Senate Bill 1380 on Committee's Schedule
(January 29, 2008)
Purse Protection Language Included
The following are Proposed Bills that have been filed in behalf of all greyhound men and women in Florida for the 2008 Legislative Session. You can be assured that your professional FGA lobbying team is ever vigilant and your interests are being represented and protected as these bills begin to creep along through committees.The House and Senate bills are similiar and have been filed on behalf of greyhound, standardbred horse and Jal Alai participants.
We will attempt to keep everyone as informed as possible on this web site.
HB539
(Direct Link to Proposed Bill-Click Here!)
BILL SUMMARY
GENERAL BILL by Meadows
Slot Machine Gaming: Revises requirements for issuance or renewal of slot machine license; requires applicant to have on file agreement with Florida Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association, Florida Greyhound Association, Inc., or International Jai Alai Players Association which governs payment of purses & awards; provides for payment of awards on live races to specified entities.
Effective Date: July 1, 2008
Last Event: Now in Government Efficiency & Accountability Council on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 5:55 PM
SB 982
(Direct Link to Proposed Bill- Click Here!)
GENERAL BILL by Bennett
Slot Machine Applicants/Equal Treatment [EPCC]: Cites this act as the "Equal Treatment under the Law for All Pari-mutuels Act." Revises the requirements for an applicant for a license or license renewal for conducting slot machine gaming to require the applicant to enter into a binding agreement with the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, Inc., the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association, the Florida Greyhound Association, Inc., etc.
Effective Date: 07/01/2008
Last Event: 01/24/08 S Referred to Regulated Industries; Judiciary; General Government Appropriations on Thursday, January 24, 2008 10:06 AM
Senate Bill 1380 on Committee Schedule
(January 29, 2008)
Purse Protection Language Included
McCollum rejected on Seminoles
(January 05, 2008)
Decision In Hands of Florida Supreme Court
Decision In Hands of Florida Court
(January 02, 2008)
Feds approve Indian gambling agreement with state