A constitutional amendment to disempower Florida‘s Legislature from handling gambling expansion and put it solely to matters of popular vote was on the topics debated by Democratic candidates jockeying to replace outgoing Gov. Rick Scott (R). Their Republican 
counterparts did not qualify for profiles in courage: “The GOP candidates declined to comment at all.” Frontrunner Ron DeSantis (R) is a stalking horse for Sheldon Adelson, proving that old Shel hasn’t given up on gambling prospects in the Sunshine State. Rep. Gwen Graham (D) is opposed to any expansion of gambling, as is former Miami Beach mayor Philip Levine (D). Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum (D) begs to differ, saying, “I am always in favor of the voters having a say on momentous issues.” Real estate developer Jeff Greene (D) offers qualified support, saying gaming issues should be decided by the affected locations.
In this issue, they’re aligned with Florida voters, only 8% of whom favor more casinos. Neither does Disney nor the Seminole Tribe, both of whom — politics making strange bedfellows — are jointly bankrolling initiative Voters in Charge. $26 million has gone into the pro-Question 3 kitty, while an opposition group has tried to beat it back with a puny $1 million bankroll. Its bankers include The Big Easy Casino owner Jeffrey Schorr and Jacksonville Greyhound Racing, whose interests should be self-evident.
* An additional 50,000 signatures have been submitted to the State of Arkansas by pro-casino group Driving Arkansas Forward, which hopes the second time is the charm for getting onto the 2018 ballot.
* Casino expansion is rearing its head again as a subject for discussion, mainly impelled by Rockford politicians. A move to authorize more casinos died in the Lege last spring, although there’s some sentiment to try and revive it during the lame-duck session this fall. “We continue, year after year, to be promised that this could be the year to have a casino,” wailed Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara. “My hope is that the legislature will have the courage to move this legislation forward once again, expand gaming and bring in some much needed revenue to the City of Rockford. We’re seeing Ho-Chunk Casino wanting to build a $450 million hotel complex just 15-20 minutes from us.” Rockford, of course, is toast if Ho-Chunk beats it to the starting line. The issue will be revisited in October, which means that the sands of time continue to slip through McNamara’s fingers.
* The NBA has designated MGM Resorts International as its official gaming partner and MGM owns a WNBA team. So it only makes sense that WNBA President Lisa Borders will be the keynote speaker for the Global Gaming Women’s Educational Track at Global Gaming Expo this fall. “Her lifelong commitment to women, to excellence, and to community have set a high bar for each of us to aspire to, making her the perfect person to deliver the keynote address at this exciting time in our industry’s history,” said GGW President Phyllis Gilland.
Added American Gaming Association spokeswoman Sara Slane, “With the business of sports and gaming intersecting like never before, there couldn’t be a better time to hear from a leader like Lisa Borders.” The latter has an impressive resumé that includes serving as vice mayor of Atlanta and vice president of global community affairs for Coca-Cola, in addition to founding No Labels, whose mission is described as a nonpartisan movement to address “the politics of problem-solving.” Well, there’s no shortage of that in gaming, so Borders ought to have some words of wisdom for us.
