Hello and welcome to Monday.
No bets allowed — OK, let’s try our best to avoid worn-out gambling cliches.
Setting the scene — But lawmakers arrive back in Tallahassee on Monday for a five-day special session that involves a lot of money, a lot of behind-the-scenes lobbying, and the possibility of yet another legislative victory for Gov. Ron DeSantis. Oh, and let’s not forget the possibility of every gambler in the state being able to soon bet on a football game from their couch.
But — This special session also doesn’t appear to be a routine scripted affair, which means things could go sideways (sort of).
Here’s some key things to remember — DeSantis wants the 30-year gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida approved. So does Senate President Wilton Simpson. House Speaker Chris Sprowls, who wasn’t involved in the negotiations, is telling his members that he supports the agreement with the tribe as well. But the House is not pressuring its members to vote yes either. There is strong support for beefing up Florida’s enforcement of gambling (which is technically illegal in the state, wink, wink, nudge, nudge).
Rest of the story — Yet, despite that backdrop a lot of people aren’t happy. Yes, there’s the anti-gambling group No Casinos that is poised to go into court the minute this is approved.
Reasons to hate it — But some Republican legislators don’t like the contours of the deal, which grants a monopoly to the tribe. National players like…
