Marc Dunbar

Judge says no to Gretna track in gambling dispute

Published on January 4, 2017 in Statewide/Top Headlines by Jim Rosica

A federal judge has turned down a request by a North Florida race track to alter his ruling allowing the Seminole Tribe of Florida to keep blackjack at its casinos. But the loss turned out to be a win for the track’s own card games. Senior U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle issued his order Wednesday. Gretna Racing in Gadsden County had moved to intervene last week. Its attorneys, David Romanik and Marc Dunbar, had asked Hinkle to remove the part of his ruling they say could make it a “crime” for the track’s…

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Seminole Tribe objects to Gretna track’s intervention in gambling dispute

Published on January 2, 2017 in Statewide/Top Headlines by Jim Rosica

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has objected to a request by a North Florida race track to alter a federal judge’s ruling allowing the tribe to keep blackjack at its casinos. Greenberg Traurig attorney Barry Richard, who represents the Tribe, filed his memorandum in opposition to Gretna Racing’s motion to intervene last week, court records show. Its attorneys, David Romanik and Marc Dunbar, had asked Hinkle to remove the part of his ruling they say could make it a “crime” for the track’s cardroom to continue offering…

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Federal judge won’t change mind on blackjack decision

Published on December 20, 2016 in Statewide/Top Headlines by Jim Rosica

A federal judge has rejected the state’s request to reconsider his ruling allowing the Seminole Tribe of Florida to keep blackjack at its casinos. In a two-page order, Senior U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle said the “original opinion correctly analyzes the issues.” Hinkle had ruled that regulators working under Gov. Rick Scott allowed dog and horse tracks to offer card games that mimicked ones that were supposed to be exclusive to tribe-owned casinos for a five-year period. The judge ruled that the Tribe could keep…

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Seminole Tribe objects to any about-face on blackjack ruling

Published on December 20, 2016 in Statewide/Top Headlines by Jim Rosica

The Seminole Tribe of Florida is opposing the state’s asking a federal judge to reconsider his decision to let the Tribe keep blackjack at its casinos. The tribe filed a legal memo last week in opposition to the state’s motion. Senior U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled that regulators working under Gov. Rick Scott allowed dog and horse tracks to offer card games that mimicked ones that were supposed to be exclusive to tribe-owned casinos for a five-year period. Hinkle ruled that…

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Florida Supreme Court considers gambling amendment

Published on November 2, 2016 in Statewide/Top Headlines by Jim Rosica

While the attorney for the Voter Control of Gambling amendment said it would address a “lack of clarity,” the state’s justices seemed to lack clarity about just what the constitutional change would do. The Florida Supreme Court heard oral argument Wednesday. It must OK proposed amendments to ensure they cover only one subject and that their ballot title and summary aren’t misleading. The amendment’s backers, Voters in Charge, wants to “ensure that Florida voters shall have the exclusive right to…

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Slot machine decision could come in time for session

Published on October 24, 2016 in Statewide/Top Headlines by Jim Rosica

It’s been nearly five months since the Florida Supreme Court heard arguments over whether to expand slot machines in the state. Though the justices never set a timeline on when to expect a decision, the smart money says: Expect something by early next year. That’s because that’s when the Legislature will start drawing up the state budget, which could use the extra money that gambling bring to state coffers. And lawmakers earlier this year heard that general revenue estimates are heading downward…

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Gambling advocates seek oral argument against amendment

Published on June 20, 2016 in Statewide/Top Headlines by Jim Rosica

Opponents of a proposed constitutional amendment on gambling are asking permission from the Florida Supreme Court to argue against it at a future hearing. Marc Dunbar, a lawyer-lobbyist who represents dog and horse tracks, filed a request for oral argument Monday, court dockets show. He filed on behalf of “Floridians for Clarity in Gaming Control.” Dunbar’s brief describes it as “an unincorporated association of individuals and business sharing concerns regarding the proposed constitutional amendment,” ranging from “registered voters in Seminole County,…

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