• About Us / Contact
  • Responsible Gambling
This site contains commercial content
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Vermont
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Vermont
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
No Result
View All Result

Florida Sports Betting Conversation Anything But Fruitful So Far

Despite lots of media coverage, the suggestion of a special session, and ongoing negotiations, there's an impasse

Jill R. Dorson by Jill R. Dorson
April 20, 2021
in Regulation
Florida Sports Betting Governor Ron Desantis

(Shutterstock)

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Legal sports betting in Florida is looking more and more unlikely to get to the finish line in 2021, at least during the state legislature’s regular session, which ends April 30. From Senate President Wilton Simpson’s office to stakeholders throughout the state, the general word on the street is … no word.

The issue of sports betting is hung up, as it becomes in many states with tribal interests, with Gov. Rob DeSantis’ office trying to negotiate with the Seminole Tribe, and the state legislature is kinda, sorta trying to move legislation without really knowing what the governor will negotiate.

The Seminoles, who currently have six properties in the state, were the first to open a casino in Florida when they did so in 1979 in Hollywood.

Just last week, the tribe rejected an offer from the governor that would have given the Seminoles exclusivity for sports wagering if — and this was a big if — the tribe would allow for a Miami Beach casino.

To date, negotiations have yielded little as the Seminoles maintain the position that the state broke the compact in 2019 when it allowed banked card games at commercial card rooms across the state. The Seminoles at that point stopped paying the state $350 million a year and now seemingly hold all the cards (pun intended). The compact they say was broken gives the Seminoles exclusivity to Class III gaming, and until the tribe either a) gets that exclusivity back (which would mean shutting down card rooms) or b) gives it up willingly in exchange for something else, legal sports betting won’t gain any traction in the Sunshine State.

Special session? Don’t get hopes up

A spokesperson from Simpson’s office on Tuesday said “negotiations are still ongoing, but there is nothing specific” to share. And while Simpson is being quoted all over the place as saying that sports betting could come up in a special session, it turns out that you had to be there to know what he really said.

According to the spokesperson, Simpson wasn’t suggesting that there will be a special session for sports betting, rather that if the compact gets finished after the regular session closes, well, then there could be a special session.

Sign Up For The Sports Handle Newsletter!
I also want to receive information and offers about online sportsbooks (eg. odds boost, welcome offers)

In Florida, the two most common ways for a special session to come about are for the governor to call for one or for leadership in the Senate and House to jointly do so. And it’s not terribly unusual for the state legislature to go into special session, so point being, if it’s needed, it will happen.

But stakeholders with their hands on the pulse of Florida politics aren’t optimistic. To date, negotiations “didn’t light a fire” under the Seminoles, according to one stakeholder, and several proposals that leave the tribe out have been floated. But the reality is that until the Seminoles are at the table, have a voice, and negotiations become more of a back-and-forth rather than a “the governor said,” there won’t be much progress.

Bills still in committee

There are a total of six bills relating to sports betting — some laying out the framework, others setting the tax rate, and still others setting fees — that were filed in the legislature in March, but none has gotten out of committee.

The bills would allow for statewide legal sports betting. The Senate bill package calls for a 15% tax rate on gross sports betting revenue, a $100,000 application fee, retail wagering at kiosks, and does not include the Seminole Tribe. The House package would set the tax rate higher — 22.5% — and also allows for wagering at professional sports venues.

Ep. 138 of the Gamble On podcast is live! @EricRaskin and @BergenBrennan talk sports betting expansion news in Arizona, Maryland, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and Alabama.

And as promised, special guest @PeteRose_14 joins the show!

Listen here: https://t.co/ZM8FFbzU5z pic.twitter.com/Tx5qRaYiyz

— US Bets (@US_Bets) April 15, 2021

As in any other state with tribal interests, the bills are only theoretical until the state comes to an agreement with the Seminole tribe on what sports betting should look like in Florida. In both Connecticut and Arizona, lawmakers did not move forward with legislation until the governor’s office made clear that the compacting process was complete and included the addition of sports betting to the agreements.

While DeSantis and other legislative leaders are in negotiations with the Seminoles, the legislature has made some progress on gaming.

A bill creating the Florida Gaming Control Commission, which would be overseen by the Attorney General’s office, is on the second-reading calendar for April 21. A bill that would prohibit live greyhound racing and allow jai lai frontons, harness tracks, and quarter horse tracks to opt out of live racing but still retain their parimutuel permits is also set for second reading before the full Senate April 21.

“These bills take that needed step without impacting ongoing negotiations with the Seminole Tribe,” Simpson was quoted as saying in Florida Politics last week.

ShareTweetShare
Jill R. Dorson

Jill R. Dorson

Jill has covered everything from steeplechase to the NFL and then some during a more than 30-year career in sports journalism. The highlight of her career was covering Oakland Raiders during the Charles Woodson/Jon Gruden era, including the infamous “Snow Bowl” and the Raiders’ 2003 trip to Super Bowl XXXVII. Her specialty these days is covering sports betting legislation across the country. You can reach Jill at [email protected]

Related Posts

maginfier-over-small-print
Analysis

Read The Fine Print: A Proposed Federal Rule Could Change Everything For Indian Gaming

March 6, 2023
Bob Self/Florida Times-Union/USA TODAY
Sports

Florida’s NFL Teams Make Rare Joint Playoff Appearance, All As Underdogs

January 11, 2023
Load More

Top Stories

colts logo

Source: ‘Pervasive’ Wagering From Colts Player Includes Bets On His Own Team

June 5, 2023
paspa ruling

From PASPA To Present: An Oral History Of The U.S. Sports Betting Gold Rush

May 11, 2023
inside-fanatics-sportsbook-fedex-field

Sources: Fanatics Enters Advanced Talks With PointsBet On Transformative U.S. Deal

May 12, 2023
new york times headquarters

The ‘Risky Wager’ Series From New York Times Was No Hit Piece — It’s Reality

May 31, 2023

State Sports Betting Guides

Ohio (U.S. state) flag waving against clear blue sky, close up, isolated with clipping path mask alpha channel transparency, perfect for film, news, composition

Ohio Sports Betting – All Online Sportsbooks, Bonus Offers, and News 2023

by Brian Pempus
May 16, 2023

Downtown Detroit at twilight (Shutterstock)

Michigan Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
May 2, 2023

VA captial

Virginia Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonus Offers

by Brett Smiley
April 24, 2023

nj flag

New Jersey Sports Betting — Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
March 22, 2023

pa online sportsbooks

Pennsylvania Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonuses

by Brett Smiley
May 3, 2023

Canada Sports Betting Guides

Canada Sports Betting – Best Sportsbook Apps & Bonus Offers

British Columbia Sports Betting – Legal Update, Available Sportsbooks, and FAQ

Ontario Sports Betting – Legal Status And Where To Play

SportsHandle

  • Analysis
  • Casino
  • Features
  • Horse Racing
  • Industry
  • Legal
  • Legislation
  • Lottery
  • Opinion
  • Podcasts
  • Poker
  • Politics
  • Promotions
  • Regulation
  • Sports
  • Uncategorized

Better Collective

This website is owned and operated by Better Collective USA. Trademarks and copyrights referenced on this website are and shall remain the exclusive property of their respective owners and/or licensors. Please be sure to visit the operator’s website(s) to review their terms & conditions. We advise you to read these carefully as they contain important information. Copyright © 2023 USBets.com | Better Collective USA
21 Play Responsibly
Gamble Aware West Virginia
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
GameSense

Search Sports Handle

No Result
View All Result
  • About Us / Contact
  • Responsible Gambling

No Result
View All Result
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Vermont
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
  • News