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Though DraftKings and FanDuel have pumped an estimated $37 million into a campaign allowing Florida voters to decide next year whether to legalize sports betting statewide, those efforts appear to be falling way short.
With a February 1 deadline looming, Florida’s Division of Elections reports the campaign to amend the Florida Constitution in November of this year has collected fewer than one-third of the 891,589 validated petition signatures required to be published on the general election ballot.
Campaign spokeswoman Christina Johnson attempted to paint a more optimistic picture.
“They are working diligently to validate large quantities of petitions already in their offices,” Johnson said in the statement, referencing the Division of Elections efforts to validate additional signatures collected.
Johnson claims there are many more waiting to be validated but would not confirm a number.
The Seminoles, who were responsible for getting the voter approval amendment passed a few years ago with the help of Disney, worked hard to prevent the DraftKings, FanDuel ballot initiative from making much headway. In an effort to protect their near gambling monopoly, the tribe pumped the airwaves with bookend ads warning residents not to sign the petitions. "Watch out Florida!" the ads warned.
The proposed amendment would allow DraftKings and FanDuel to enter the Florida market and offer legalized sports betting. But this could also be a case of the Seminoles cutting off their nose to spite their face. They won't be able to offer mobile sports gambling without said amendment either.
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
