Battle for California gambling interests

But will anything be done before the elections in 2014?

Here we go again in the state of Florida where lawmakers will sit down shortly to decide on the legal regulatory framework for the state with gambling such a huge money maker for the government there.

However it will not be an easy path for senators to come to any agreement given that there are so many interested parties involved. One thing seems almost certain is that online gambling will not get any light of day in the state till 2015 at the earliest.

What is at stake is the possibility of expanding slot machine, black jack and roulette in the state following a report that cost the state legislature $400,000 when hiring Spectrum Gaming Group to deliver its analysis on the states needs and disposition to gambling.

All the involved parties are spending fortunes on lobbyists, public relations firms and offering huge donations to political leaders in order to ensure they are the ones that will benefit most of the coming review of gambling.

The agreement with the Seminole Indian tribe that expires in 2015 will allow them to operate roulette and black jack games should the agreement expire without a new one in place in pushing lawmakers to do a deal and one that could get very confusing.

California is the biggest state in the US and offers huge profits for any gambling operator so all parties are trying to push for their own interests which is really causing consternation among religious and anti-gambling groups.

The Seminole Tribe of Florida is hoping to increase gaming in its flagship Hard Rock enterprise in Tampa Bay, already one of the most lucrative casinos in the world. But even outside operators are hoping that the senate will allow one major casino resort in the state.

But on the other side the state’s tourism and hospitality industries, which are backed by conservatives and evangelicals, are pushing lawmakers to halt the continuously-growing gambling industry within the state.

Currently there are 21 lawsuits going around again gambling operators or operator against operator, it could be that the decision is delayed by politicians till after the elections in 2014 ensuring they win their seats back before tackling this minefield of interests.

With all the energy by gambling operators both within and outside the state one thing is certain any type of online gambling bill will be pushed further down the track till after 2014 into 2015 before what would be the biggest golden goose for online gambling gets into the fledgling industry with Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware.

Staff