When the mid-term elections take place on November 6, 2018, many will be watching Florida and several key races there. Most notably, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum is challenging former US Representative Ron DeSantis for the governor’s seat, but the Senate race is also important as current Governor Rick Scott is attempting to unseat current Senator Bill Nelson. The campaigns have been some of the most expensive in the country, and the election’s outcome in the swing state will impact the Senate as well as the overall direction of the country.
Those interested in gambling and the gaming industry in general will also be watching the Florida results, mostly to see what happens with Amendment 3. It will determine whether or not Florida voters take control of gambling decisions in the state.
The Poker Alliance has weighed in this week in its first endorsement of the mid-terms and the first significant statement from the organization since it was taken over earlier in 2018 by Poker Central. While new Poker Alliance President Mark Brenner has been attending a lot of sports betting hearings and working behind the scenes, the group’s outspoken opposition of Amendment 3 is notable.
https://twitter.com/ppapoker/status/1055530936920629249
Amendment 3
The attempt to change the Florida Constitution with Amendment 3 will determine the way that all decisions regarding casinos and most forms of gambling will be handled going forward. The wording that is on the ballot is as follows:
“This amendment ensures that Florida voters shall have the exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling by requiring that in order for casino gambling to be authorized under Florida law, it must be approved by Florida voters pursuant to Article XI, Section 3 of the Florida Constitution. Affects articles X and XI. Defines casino gambling and clarifies that this amendment does not conflict with federal law regarding state/tribal compacts.”
It should be noted that the text of the official amendment defines gambling/gaming as “any of the types of games typically found in casinos and that are within the definition of Class III gaming in the Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).” It goes on to say that it includes any house-banked game like blackjack, player-banked games like California blackjack, roulette, craps, keno, slot machines, electronic ambling, simulated gambling, video lottery machines, internet sweepstakes, and “any other form of electronic or electromechanical facsimiles of any game of chance, slot machine, or casino-style game.” This does not, however, include pari-mutuel wagering on horse or dog racing or jai alai.
At First Glance
One might – as this author did, initially – believe this amendment would be a positive step for the expansion of gambling in Florida. It seems as if the state legislature is consistently embroiled in controversy with the Seminole Tribe of Florida regarding the extent of its rights in its land-based casinos, and there have been no serious considerations in the past several years to expand casino gambling or consider online poker or gaming.
The most recent compact signed with the Seminoles by Governor Scott was completed in 2015 and is effective for the next 20 years. The tribe has a rather tight grip on gambling in Florida, and it seems as if the most recent compact and court findings may prevent the state from doing anything contrary to that agreement for the next two decades.
Poker Alliance Speaks
On October 24, the Poker Alliance emerged with a very strong opinion about the proposed amendment, issuing several statements via Twitter and launching the first state-specific page on its website. New articles were also linked from the home page for the first time since mid-August, all pertaining to the Florida election.
https://twitter.com/ppapoker/status/1055096882689523712
Per the page, the organization’s statement reads:
“Florida’s poker community is strong and growing, however, this could change if Amendment 3 is approved on Election Day (November 6th). This problematic referendum will make it very difficult -- if not impossible -- to expand gaming opportunities in Florida.”
It goes on to state that Amendment 3 will do the following:
--virtually eliminate the expansion of live poker--make it impossible to update live poker rules and add new games for existing poker rooms--create a “huge longshot” for Florida to legalize internet poker and sports betting--cause the state to lose hundreds of millions of tax dollars to fund education
https://twitter.com/ppapoker/status/1055096886430855168
According to some of the articles linked and quotes posted, Amendment 3 is being sponsored and promoted by Disney and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, neither of which want to see gambling expand. The Seminoles, specifically, want to maintain their monopoly on casino-based poker rooms in the state. In addition, it would render voters in specific cities and counties dependent upon the voters of the entire state when trying to pass gambling laws for their own jurisdictions.
The Poker Alliance cited opposition to Amendment 3 from some of the major news publications in Florida, including the Tampa Bay Times, Sun Sentinel, and USA Today-affiliated Florida Today and Tallahassee Democrat. The organization also solidarity with the Choose Me, Not 3 campaign.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=29&v=UdvjOqF-P6o
