The dust has settled on the GOP in the Sunshine State at least until the Tampa August Convention and subsequent barrage for the presidential election.

The tiresome, 92% negative TV commercials are gone. The meet and greets tying up traffic are history. Focus returns to the good life, tropical breezes in unseasonably warm weather, celebrity sightings, decent polo, and the legislative session in Tallahassee.

In the good life department Seminole Gaming around the state remains alive and well as the tribe opens a dazzling new casino complex on their popular Coconut Creek campus. Added to the Hard Rock Casinos in Fort Lauderdale and Tampa, these Vegas class properties enjoy Vegas class profits with a portion going to the state.

Skipping the usual haunts of South Beach, Las Olas and Don Shula’s, the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers dined at Café Montarano in the Seminole Fort Lauderdale Hard Rock complex prior to beating the NHL Florida Panthers in the nearby Bank Atlantic Center.

Indian gaming will provide formidable competition for Genting, Steve Wynn, the Sands et al. Additionally, the large sums of cash the Seminoles agreed to pay the state in their Compact will cease if the new properties are added.

That legislation is stalled in its House and Senate versions as law makers ponder how to balance a budget and gerrymander voting districts across the state. We’d guess the Senate bill will start moving shortly but in a watered down version. We predict 2013 will be the big year for gaming’s next big step in the state.

Some gaming interests are floating the idea of bypassing the legislature and introducing a state wide referendum. After several false starts it eventually worked for approving south Florida racinos; and it would probably work for the mega resorts.

Early polls show a 50-50 split by the public at large. On January 31 several rural panhandle counties voted to permit slots. The Florida Attorney General calls that vote illegal as the state constitution only allows votes for slots in Miami-Dade and Broward (Fort Lauderdale) counties.

In the past few days the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce joined with the Greater Miami Chamber in endorsing casino resorts in downtown Miami. Both were cautious to tie support to creating jobs, and would require local municipalities to benefit from gaming taxes.

Local newspapers and broadcast media are beginning to acknowledge the massive effort for the mega casinos. The Miami Herald queried local business people about the initiative. The owner of the legendary restaurant Joe’s Stone Crab on South Beach is not in favor, while the owner of the Bayside Marketplace on the bay in downtown Miami is. No surprise there.

Miami Jai Alai finally passed its state inspection and the 1,000-plus slot machines are clanging and ringing along with 24 poker tables. Though the remodeled fronton was late to the "racino" party, it is also the most centrally located and adjacent to Miami airport with its surrounding hotels and restaurants.

Early reports are very favorable. On opening Saturday night reports are that parking was overflowing. Even long time jai alai fans seem impressed. Concerts and special events are in the works.

On a similar note, Hialeah Race Track continues its live quarter horse racing meet. The Florida Quarter Horse Racing Association (FQHRA) reports handle and attendance is growing.

Jennifer J.H. Pierce, the organization’s PR director, reports on her blog: Hialeah Park’s highly successful FQHRA-sanctioned meet generates record-setting average daily attendance of over 4,100, and average daily handle of over $200,000. (www.floridahorsemen.com)

With the first two weeks of the new year in the books, the south Florida racinos continue to do impressive business. Led by Pompano with 30.5% of the market and followed by Magic City: 20.4%, Calder: 18%, Gulfstream: 15.8% and Mardi Gras: 18.2%, the facilities show their locations and competition are indicative of their share of the market.

If you are looking for the best payout, it is currently at Magic City: 92.96%. Of course, numbers are unavailable for the Seminole and Miccosukee operations.

With the "season" in high gear the swells on Ocean Beach, AIA, and Worth Avenue are claiming a slightly above average tourist season thus far. The weather has been extraordinary. No cold fronts to confuse the natives or the visitors alike.

With the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, Doral World Golf Championship, Sony Ericcson Tennis Tournament, Gulfstream Park’s Florida Derby, MLB spring training, and the subsequent opening of the Florida Marlins’ new domed stadium, there’s considerable momentum into the spring.

(article c/o Baird Thompson and William Hutchinson —Thompson/Hutchinson & Associates, Miami.www.casinodoctors.com)