The Florida Division of Elections approved proposed sports betting changes allowing a drive to bring constitutional changes, followed by sports betting. The Florida Division of Elections is processing a ballot issue for 2022 that would allow sports betting in Florida independent of the state’s freshly signed gaming agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
Ryan Ash, the deputy director of external affairs heading the Secretary of State’s division, said that the Sports and Event Betting is under review and is the major ballot initiative. Just after the statement from Ryan, the Division of Elections gave the nod and posted constitutional changes and titled it as 21-13. According to the summary of 21-13, the changes will allow sports and event betting under the Florida law at venues dedicated to professional sports through best online sportsbooks. Entities will have the authority to conduct online betting for sports, and Native American tribes will perform betting in Florida following the gaming compact.
The betting is allowed for only 21 years above age. However, the legislature will have the right to tax betting revenues and other taxes needed for funding Educational Enhancement Trust. A political action committee called Florida Education Champions registered with the Secretary of State’s office on the 2nd of June and is sponsoring the proposed constitutional amendment. The PAC’s interests are listed as “political”.
Chairman David Johnson of Tallahassee describes himself on his website as a Florida-based Republican general strategic consultant and a strategic advisor to corporations and associations; Treasurer Rich Heitmeyer and deputy treasurer Abby Dupree and Stephanie Zottoli are the officers of the new PAC. The group will begin collecting signatures required for its referendum once the Division of Elections gives the green signal. If it collects the required signatures (891,589) and the language passes muster with the Florida Supreme Court, it will be included in the November 2022 general election ballot.
