Florida Governor Proposal Could Upset Miami Casino Development

Residents of the Sunshine State already don't have access to our best sports betting sites, and there may be changes on the way that make that changing even less likely.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has proposed a sweeping revision to how state residents can amend constitutional amendments. Critics argue that this bill would prohibit citizens from participating in the crafting of state law. It may also impact President Trump’s plans in Florida.

As it exists under the Florida Constitution, voters must approve any gambling expansion through a citizen-initiated ballot initiative. But under DeSantis' proposal, drastic limits would be imposed on how such proposals can be brought forward.

If enacted, the changes would require citizens to request petition forms from their local election offices individually. They would also make it a felony for someone to collect more than two additional petition signatures beyond their own. 

Issues with the proposal

Critics contend that these measures would effectively dismantle the citizen initiative process, which has historically served as a critical avenue for Floridians to circumvent legislative gridlock on popular issues. This could significantly impact future Florida sports betting proposals.

That would be an issue for President Trump, who has long aspired to build a casino in Miami. However, the Florida constitution requires any gambling expansion to be approved by a ballot amendment initiated by citizens. 

The requirement for a constitutional amendment to expand gambling came after a $46 million campaign primarily funded by the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Walt Disney Company.

Years later, in 2022, Las Vegas Sands sought gambling expansion in the state. Despite Sands injecting $49.5 million into a campaign in Florida aimed at amending the state constitution to allow for the expansion of casino gambling, the initiative failed.

Advantage goes to the Seminole Tribe

The Seminole Tribe, which operates several casinos around the state, has a monopoly on the supply of some forms of gambling, including sportsbook betting and table games of chance. However, not all forms of Florida gambling are controlled by the Seminole Tribe, and non-tribal casinos brought in more than $819 million in December. 

Attorneys say DeSantis' most recent proposals would further solidify the tribe's gambling monopoly in Florida, making it impossible for any non-tribal operators to launch competing casinos.

DeSantis framed the proposed reforms as an effort to protect the integrity of the Florida constitutional amendment process, which he believes has been exploited by special interests. However, the timing and potential consequences of the proposal have provoked skepticism about its broader political and economic implications.

The Seminole Tribe is a leading influence in Florida's gaming industry and a big political contributor to DeSantis. The tribe contributed tens of millions of dollars to DeSantis' campaign and allied committees, including for his failed 2024 presidential bid.

DeSantis has returned the favor by championing policies that have extended the tribe's gambling monopoly, including a 2021 gaming compact that provided the tribe a monopoly on offering mobile and in-person sports betting throughout the state.

Democrats and Republicans in the state legislature have opposed DeSantis' proposal. Republican legislators questioned whether the reforms would necessitate a special session, signaling rough sailing for the Governor's proposal.

Florida's requirement that constitutional amendments obtain 60% of the vote is also a hurdle to gambling expansion, even if a citizen initiative avoids proposed limits.