Prominent Florida gambling critic John Sowinski has heated the debate over the legalization of sports betting in the state even before the start of the new legislative session.
Mr. Sowinski claims that a trio of bills calling for legal athletic gambling are unconstitutional. The three bills were filed by Senator Jeff Brandes this past Monday.
The measures would allow for the legalization of sports betting on the territory of the state and would task the Florida Lottery with overseeing the industry.
Mr. Sowinski was chairman of Voters in Charge, the organization behind the $45 million campaign that promoted the passage of Amendment 3 at last November’s ballot. Under the amendment, which was approved by the majority of Florida voters, no casino gambling expansion can happen in the state without voters’ approval.
Mr. Sowinski said he believes the three recently introduced betting bills violate constitution and that the legalization of sports betting is a matter that should be decided on by Florida voters. The anti-gambling leader pointed out that under Amendment 3 casino gambling includes anything that falls under Class III gaming under the Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, and sports betting is one of the activities listed in that act.
Mr. Sowinski pointed out that Amendment 3 “says that if it’s casino gambling, it requires approval by citizen constitutional amendment” and that “the Legislature is not even allowed to propose it or put it on the ballot.”
Sen. Brandes Disagrees
Defending his bills, Sen. Brandes said that Amendment 3 “specifically relates to casino gambling” and sports betting does not have to be conducted exclusively at casinos. The legislator went on that the three measures are still in their early days and that as they progress in the Legislature, proponents and opponents will be given the opportunity to voice their concerns and comment on how the pieces can be amended.
Under Sen. Brandes’ bills, it will be the Lottery that will conduct sports betting activity. The agency will also be able to license third-party providers of wagering services.
The legislator said that he believes it is the Legislature that “has the purview to let the lottery provide legal sports betting.” He further elaborated that the legalization of the practice would “provide a pathway for legal options to an activity where there is currently no oversight.”
Under Sen. Brandes’ measures, sports betting would be taxed at 15% on revenue and wagering operators will have to annually renew their licenses at a $100,000 cost.
According to some experts, the three bills were doomed to a short life in the Legislature as they did not specifically mention the Seminole Tribe of Florida, which has huge political power and influence in the state gambling industry.
The Seminoles sought exclusivity over sports betting this past spring, but negotiations with lawmakers fell through, which eventually prevented the betting matter from making any significant progress in the Legislature.
Source: https://floridapolitics.com/archives/311611-gambling-critic-john-sowinski-says-jeff-brandes-latest-sports-betting-bill-violates-state-constitution, Florida Politics
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