Florida legislature closed and gambling got bupkis

The Florida legislature closed their usual lackluster session May 2 and gambling (among a number of things) got bupkis.
The $440,000 commissioned gambling research study never got out of the starting blocks. The entire session was a “Re-Elect (Gov. Rick) Scott” beauty session implemented by both Republican-heavy governing bodies.
Gambling, and most certainly gambling expansion, did not fit that profile. De-coupling got lost in the political shuffle. Between the governor, a variety of legislators, political action committees and lobbyists the constant “contributions” by all the various gambling factions (from tribes to Genting) easily exceeded $3 million…any a noteworthy contribution for an election year.
Two Florida (R) legislators changed how MLB treats Cuban defectors (third country requirement before entering the league) fresh off the saga of LA Dodgers Yasiel Puig’s harrowing escape from Cuba through Mexico.
They tagged an amendment onto a stadium funding bill that passed. It requires the Marlins and Rays to change their Cuban policy, if they want money for stadium construction or renovation provided by the new law. The two congressmen cited MLB’s current policy, which empowers smugglers and human traffickers.
Yearend/Q3 results: The 2013-14 fiscal year in Florida has completed its third quarter and compared to last year the pari-mutuel handle was down over $12 million (4.4 percent). The three ugly winter months (January-March) up north translated into significantly increased tourism but not wagers.
The 3Q winter dates at Gulfstream, Tampa Bay and Calder accounted for 64.5 percent of the state’s total handle – down 3.9 percent; Greyhounds were 27.6 percent of the handle – down 3.3 percent; Pompano’s Harness 5.4 percent – way down 16 percent; the combination of Jai Alai, 2 percent, and .4 percent Quarter Horses – down 3.1 percent.
(Note: Some lost business was due to the weather related closings at OTB operations in the Northeast and Midwest.)
Third quarter card room receipts reveal a different picture. Over $36 million in gross receipts were up from 2013 by 2.1 percent. The usual suspects – Jacksonville, Pompano and Palm Beach, continued to lead.
March pari-mutuel business was down 6.1 percent in spite of thoroughbreds with big stakes (Florida Derby and Tampa Bay Derby). Calder being open impacted Gulfstream business and Tampa too, as a collateral victim, by having smaller fields. Greyhounds and harness were off also with jai alai almost even.
March poker continued an upward trend, up better than their 3Q average, ahead over $356,000 (plus 2.9 percent in gross receipts.) A new contender for a top three spot was Daytona Beach Kennel Club with over $1 million in gross receipts.
Our sources found Florida’s 10 inactive pari-mutuel licenses were distributed this way: six total Quarter Horse permits are owned by Pompano Harness (1), Tampa Bay Downs (1), Jacksonville Kennel Club (2), Equestrian Land Holdings Jefferson (1) and a DeBary Real Estate holding (1). The remaining four inactive licenses are: “limited Thoroughbred” (1), Jai Alai (2) and Greyhound (1).
Odds n’ Ends: All three NFL Florida teams felt they did well in the big draft. However, the Jaguars appear to tout the best results with Blake Bortles at QB, Marqise Lee at WR, Allen Robinson at flanker and Brandon Linder at guard. Sounds like the making of an offense (finally).
The Miami Herald is carefully following David Beckham’s attempt to build a private 29,000 seat MLS soccer stadium on the Port of Miami and reports there is more opposition. The site is currently leased from the city by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.
The Tampa Bay Times obtained recent financial records for the Florida businesses permitted to hold greyhound races, reporting none of the permit holders posted a positive operating income from its pari-mutuel activities, although several made up their losses with robust profits from cards or slots.
St. Petersburg Kennel Club lost $3 million on racing and gained a million on poker; Naples/Fort Myers Dog Track lost $4 million on the racing and gained $4 million on poker; Melbourne Greyhound lost $2 million on racing and made $2 million on poker; Jacksonville lost $5 million on racing and gained $7 million on poker.
Racinos: Magic City (Flagler Dog Track) lost $6 million on racing, gained $17 million on slots and $4 million on poker (net gain $15 million); Mardi Gras (Hollywood Dog Track) lost $2 million on racing, gained $1.9 million on slots, but lost $9,000 on Poker.
Really, Jameis! Heisman winner, FSU’s QB, Jameis Winston got nabbed trying to sneak crab legs past a Publix cashier in Tallahassee. Publix chose not to pursue, but the Tally police department required he do 20 hours of community service.
Winston was immediately suspended from the top 10 ranked FSU baseball team, but quickly reinstated after the 20 hours. With FSU, UM No. 15 and UF all in the national top 20, there’s a good chance at least one will visit Omaha in June.
Mayport sailing: For the first time in more than a year, Mayport (Jacksonville) will host a gambling ship. Victory Casino Cruises, which currently operates a ship out of Port Canaveral, will begin operating a second ship from Mayport in June. It carries 640 passengers and runs two cruises a day, seven days a week.