Seminole casinos

The U.S. Department of the Interior, which was the defendant in the lawsuit filed by two pari-mutuel facilities, is holding its cards close to the vest about whether it intends to file an appeal.

The fight over a proposed constitutional amendment that could bring casinos to North Florida is heating up as the political committee behind it tries to get the proposal onto the 2022 ballot.

A lawsuit accused businesses, individuals and a committee linked to the Seminoles of trying to “sabotage” the petition drive, in part by paying people to stop gathering signatures.

The gambling deal includes allowing people throughout the state to use mobile devices to place sports bets that are run through computer servers on tribal property. But a key issue in the lawsuit is whether the IGRA allows the Seminoles to accept bets that are placed off tribal property.

Owners of two pari-mutuel facilities contended that allowing people to place sports bets while off tribal property violated federal laws.

Under the compact, the Seminoles will serve as the state’s hub for sports betting, with pari-mutuel operators contracting with the tribe. The Seminoles agreed to pay Florida about $20 billion, including $2.5 billion over the first five years.

A 30-year gaming compact between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida would allow gambling options akin to those available in Las Vegas. It would also legalize sports betting.

State lawmakers would have to sign off on the agreement, which is known as a “compact.” A special session to consider the issue is scheduled for May 17.

A Senate panel has advanced measures that would create a new gambling commission and would decouple most pari-mutuel gambling.

It may just be a matter of weeks until the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa reopens.Jim Allen, the Chairman and CEO of the Seminole Tribe of…

The head of Hard Rock International – which runs the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa – thinks it's going to take at least a year until his…

As legislative leaders hold behind-the-scenes talks about revamping the gambling industry, Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday announced a deal that will lead to…