Capitol Update: Seminole Compact and Gaming
The Florida Legislature gathered for its first week of committee meetings in the New Year this week. Two gaming-related conversations were set to occur, but the Senate Regulated industries Committee cancelled their Wednesday, January 11, 2017, meeting, leaving only House Tourism and Gaming Control Subcommittee’s panel discussion on the Seminole Compact.
The panel discussion featured:
- State Economist, Amy Baker,
- Jonathan Zachem, Deputy Secretary, Department of Business & Professional Regulation, and
- C. Jason Maine, General Counsel, Department of Business & Professional Regulation.
For over twenty years, the Florida Chamber has been opposed to the expansion of gambling in Florida, especially Las Vegas style casinos, as we believe they are contrary to our family friendly brand and not the type of economic development we need.
Additionally, the Florida Chamber supports a renewed state compact with the Seminole Tribe because that is the best way to limit the expansion of gambling in Florida and contain it to tribal lands.
Included in the House Tourism and Gaming Control Subcommittee’s meeting packet was a list of “anticipated major policy issues,” which included:
- Seminole Gaming Compact,
- Voter Control of Gambling Expansion,
- Slot Machine Gaming,
- Decoupling of Live Racing or Games,
- Designated Player Card Games, and
- Daily Fantasy Sports.
Additionally, Senator Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton) briefed Florida Chamber Board members in town for the Leadership Fly-In on his perspectives regarding a number of issues, including potential gaming legislation, that could come before the Legislature this session. Late yesterday afternoon, Senator Galvano filed gaming legislation in the Senate, details of which can be found here.
The Florida Chamber will continue to provide you with regular updates on gaming-related issues.
Learn More:
This week, the Florida Chamber released its 2017 Competitiveness Agenda, which outlines our specific policy positions on gaming and more.
