Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is pushing to overhaul the State’s citizen-led ballot process, which could have significant ramifications for the gambling industry.
The proposals would make it significantly harder for Floridians to amend the constitution and would strengthen the Seminole Tribe’s monopoly. They would also threaten President Trump’s business interests, who has made no secret his desire to open a Florida-based casino.
Citizen-led amendments require approximately 900,000 signatures, or 8% of the voting population, to be placed on the ballot. The proposed legislation would make it far less likely that that number would be achieved.
Under DeSantis’ proposals, signature collection practices would be far more restricted. Currently, and most commonly, a Floridian could approach someone in the street and ask them to sign a petition, but legislation from DeSantis’ office would make this illegal.
Currently, signature-gathering companies are set up in places with significant footfall and entice voters to sign petitions. The new system would require individual voters to request, fill out, and return petition forms themselves. Gathering more than two signatures in addition to your own would also become a felony.
DeSantis argues that such changes are necessary to prevent wealthy special interest groups from influencing the state’s constitution. However, critics see these changes as a direct attack on the democratic process.
The Seminole Tribe’s Firm Grip on Florida Gambling
Should DeSantis’ proposals be enacted, the gambling industry’s chances of a citizen-led constitutional amendment to broaden legislation would become, at best, remote. Any gambling expansion must secure voter approval through a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment, which would then require 60% approval.
In 2022, California took to the ballots to vote on gambling expansion in one of the United States of America’s most expensive historical campaigns. Estimates suggest both lobbies spent over $450 million combined trying to influence public opinion.
If DeSantis’ plan takes effect, getting such an initiative on the ballot would be nigh-on impossible.
The Seminole Tribe currently holds a monopoly in the state of Florida. The Seminoles operate the only retail casinos in the state and are the sole providers of online sports betting through the Hard Rock Bet brand.
Despite a prolonged legal battle over sports betting, Hard Rock Bet is operational, and the compact signed with DeSantis in 2021 is conditional on the Seminoles contributing $2.5 billion in payments to the Sunshine State.
DeSantis and Trump’s issues could resurface
In the run-up to President Trump’s re-election, DeSantis and the President had a bitter feud during the Republican leadership battle. Although the duo have publicly reconciled, the Governor’s proposed legislation could reopen the battle wounds.
Donald Trump has long been interested in establishing a casino in Florida, specifically at his Trump National Doral resort. However, under existing Florida law, voter approval is needed, which may prove a roadblock in Trump’s business plans.
Daniel Wallach, a lawyer specializing in gambling regulations, told CNN, “The proposal would seal off competition for sports betting and casino gambling in Florida. It’s unprecedented for a state as populous as Florida.”
He did, however, suggest that Trump’s unique political influence over Floridians could still overcome DeSantis proposals, continuing that it would, “on the surface, make it more difficult for Trump to ever achieve a full Vegas-style gaming resort or brick-and-mortar casino” before adding “he’s one of the few individuals perhaps capable of whipping up that kind of signature support.”
