Gambling Lobbying In Florida Breaks $5 million In 2009

Gambling News - February 18th, 2010 - Written By Glen

The legality of gambling in Florida has been a great debate, especially in 2009. The great debate over the state's compact with the Seminole Tribe had failed to make progress, leaving some of the games in the Tribe's casinos illegal, most notably table games. In order to change the legal climate in Florida, lobbying Florida's congress had cost the groups involved over $5 million dollars.

The issue will not come to Florida's congress again until March, and experts predict that lobbyists will continue to spend through this deadline.

According to Marc Dunbar, a professor of Gaming Law at the Florida State University College of Law, said "I expect these numbers to be surpassed in 2010 when the Florida Legislature reconvenes."

Over ten different groups had ended up spending money on lobbying. Mardi Gras Casino was at the lead, having spent $600,000 in congress. The Isle of Capri had spent $410,000, while the Seminole Tribe, proprietors of the largest casinos in the state, spent $395,000 dollars. GTECH spent $320,000 in congress, with the Miccosukee tribe tailing shortly behind at $280,000.

The possibility of a Gambling Commision has been discussed, and casinos outside of tribal land are also being considered. Slot expansion, as well as that of table games, has been considered over the last six months, though Crist and his legislature had made very little progress. Florida Online Gambling remains the most accessible form of gambling within the state, as South Florida is the only region with true casinos and Florida's poker rooms carry many limitations.