http://www.apalachtimes.com/news/20180515/sports-betting-wild-card-in-florida-gambling-debate
Sports betting a wild card in Florida gambling debate
HIDE CAPTION
A board displays odds behind Aracely Geraci in the sports book at the South Point hotel-casino in Las Vegas. [JOHN LOCHER/AP]
By John Kennedy | Gatehouse Media
Posted May 15, 2018 at 10:44 AM
Updated May 15, 2018 at 10:44 AM
Incoming Senate President Bill Galvano said there is no interest among lawmakers to do anything with sports betting before the November elections.
TALLAHASSEE — A U.S. Supreme Court ruling Monday that overturns a federal law banning most sports betting throws another wild card into the complicated world of Florida gambling.
But with voters getting a chance in November to approve a constitutional amendment making any expansion of gambling subject to voter-approval means sports betting might not come to Florida anytime soon.
“But I’m sure with this ruling, it will create some interest among the pari-mutuels, the (Seminole) Tribe and independent interests,” said Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, the incoming Senate president who has been point-man for his chamber on a host of gambling issues.
The high court ruling, in a New Jersey case, is expected to spawn sports betting in a number of states looking to legalize and tax more gambling, at tracks, major hotels and other venues.
In Florida, jai-alai frontons, horse tracks and dog tracks have been pressing state lawmakers for years to allow more slot machines at their facilities. Now, sports betting could become another piece of the negotiations, which always play out against the backdrop of the state’s gambling compact with the Seminole Tribe.
“This has big implications for Florida,” said Nick Iarossi, whose lobbying clients include Jacksonville Greyhound Racing, Melbourne Greyhound Park and Ocala Breeders’ Sales Inc.
“This is one more reason for the state to do something long-lasting to improve the gaming industry, among myriad reasons already out there,” he added.
At the Daytona Beach Racing and Card Club, officials said Monday’s ruling is pivotal.
“It’s probably the best possible scenario for states that want to engage in sports wagering,” said Fred Guzman, president and general manager of both the Daytona Beach and Orange City racing and card clubs.
“I think this goes a long way (toward) bringing an illegal activity into the light,” he added.
The Seminole Tribe pays the state $300 million a year for operating casinos on its seven reservations. If sports betting was approved, the deal with the tribe would have to be reworked, even as federal law also would allow the tribe to offer sports betting.
Galvano said there is no interest among lawmakers to do anything with sports betting before the November elections. John Sowinski, president of No Casinos Inc., the anti-gambling organization, said that makes sense, adding that voters should decide the matter.
“Anything that makes this big a change to the landscape of gambling should be done by the voters,” said Sowinski, who spearheaded the proposed November constitutional amendment, which needs to win approval from at least 60 percent of voters to become law.
The wording of the “voter control of gambling” Amendment 3 is focused mostly on casino gambling, but lawmakers, and lobbyists on both sides of the issue acknowledged sports betting would be included in that term.
While polls have shown the amendment polling at or above 70 percent support among voters, some analysts said Monday that sports betting is generally less opposed. Opponents of the amendment said it would be wise to warn voters that it could slow the introduction of sports betting in Florida.
“Sports betting is a tourist amenity,” said Marc Dunbar, a Tallahassee gambling lawyer and lobbyist. “Florida will be left behind while other states have it.”
Daytona Beach News-Journal staff writer T.S. Jarmusz contributed to this report.
Sports betting a wild card in Florida gambling debate
HIDE CAPTION
A board displays odds behind Aracely Geraci in the sports book at the South Point hotel-casino in Las Vegas. [JOHN LOCHER/AP]
By John Kennedy | Gatehouse Media
Posted May 15, 2018 at 10:44 AM
Updated May 15, 2018 at 10:44 AM
Incoming Senate President Bill Galvano said there is no interest among lawmakers to do anything with sports betting before the November elections.
TALLAHASSEE — A U.S. Supreme Court ruling Monday that overturns a federal law banning most sports betting throws another wild card into the complicated world of Florida gambling.
But with voters getting a chance in November to approve a constitutional amendment making any expansion of gambling subject to voter-approval means sports betting might not come to Florida anytime soon.
“But I’m sure with this ruling, it will create some interest among the pari-mutuels, the (Seminole) Tribe and independent interests,” said Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, the incoming Senate president who has been point-man for his chamber on a host of gambling issues.
The high court ruling, in a New Jersey case, is expected to spawn sports betting in a number of states looking to legalize and tax more gambling, at tracks, major hotels and other venues.
In Florida, jai-alai frontons, horse tracks and dog tracks have been pressing state lawmakers for years to allow more slot machines at their facilities. Now, sports betting could become another piece of the negotiations, which always play out against the backdrop of the state’s gambling compact with the Seminole Tribe.
“This has big implications for Florida,” said Nick Iarossi, whose lobbying clients include Jacksonville Greyhound Racing, Melbourne Greyhound Park and Ocala Breeders’ Sales Inc.
“This is one more reason for the state to do something long-lasting to improve the gaming industry, among myriad reasons already out there,” he added.
At the Daytona Beach Racing and Card Club, officials said Monday’s ruling is pivotal.
“It’s probably the best possible scenario for states that want to engage in sports wagering,” said Fred Guzman, president and general manager of both the Daytona Beach and Orange City racing and card clubs.
“I think this goes a long way (toward) bringing an illegal activity into the light,” he added.
The Seminole Tribe pays the state $300 million a year for operating casinos on its seven reservations. If sports betting was approved, the deal with the tribe would have to be reworked, even as federal law also would allow the tribe to offer sports betting.
Galvano said there is no interest among lawmakers to do anything with sports betting before the November elections. John Sowinski, president of No Casinos Inc., the anti-gambling organization, said that makes sense, adding that voters should decide the matter.
“Anything that makes this big a change to the landscape of gambling should be done by the voters,” said Sowinski, who spearheaded the proposed November constitutional amendment, which needs to win approval from at least 60 percent of voters to become law.
The wording of the “voter control of gambling” Amendment 3 is focused mostly on casino gambling, but lawmakers, and lobbyists on both sides of the issue acknowledged sports betting would be included in that term.
While polls have shown the amendment polling at or above 70 percent support among voters, some analysts said Monday that sports betting is generally less opposed. Opponents of the amendment said it would be wise to warn voters that it could slow the introduction of sports betting in Florida.
“Sports betting is a tourist amenity,” said Marc Dunbar, a Tallahassee gambling lawyer and lobbyist. “Florida will be left behind while other states have it.”
Daytona Beach News-Journal staff writer T.S. Jarmusz contributed to this report.
