Friday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 3/22/2024

Calls to Florida gambling helpline doubled after launch of online sports betting

Calls to Florida’s problem gambling helpline doubled in the month after the Seminole Tribe of Florida launched a sports betting app late last year, according to numbers from the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling Inc. The council, a not-for-profit that runs the helpline, said calls increased by 100% in mid-December compared to the month prior, after the Tribe launched its Hard Rock Bet app statewide to people 21 and over. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Jacksonville selling market slowing down drastically, homes staying on market longer

Home buyers might be seeing more luck and higher inventory than they have seen in the last few years in Jacksonville. Jacksonville was the sixth slowest metro area for selling homes in the U.S. in 2024, according to a recent study from Creditnews. Three of the slowest selling metro areas on the market were in Florida, including Cape Coral and Deltona. More from the Florida Times-Union.

Brightline to add more passenger train cars from Orlando

Brightline soon will add additional passenger train cars for its trips between Orlando and Miami. In its February ridership report, the Miami-based intercity rail company said it will expand to meet demand. It has had to limit capacity for its short-distance trips in some cases to make room for the more profitable long-distance train. More from the Orlando Business Journal.

Spring break breaks Orlando airport daily passenger record

Orlando’s airport had been bracing for a crush on Saturday of nearly 198,000 passengers, which would make it the busiest day of the busiest period of the busiest year in airport history. They erred in that prediction. An even bigger crush is expected. Last Saturday, it turns out, saw 200,506 travelers coming and going from planes and gates. It was the first time the 200,000 mark was topped and was Orlando International Airport’s busiest day in its more than 40-year history. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Pasco may not lose millions in taxes from Live Local Act after all

Pasco and other counties will be allowed to opt out of giving huge tax breaks to new apartment developers who they say are not providing the affordable housing lawmakers envisioned when they passed the Live Local Act last year, thanks to a provision tucked into state law near the close of the most recent Florida legislative session. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Business Beat - Week of March 22nd

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Sports Business
Nice ice, baby: Florida Panthers open new practice venue in downtown Fort Lauderdale

With NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on hand, the Florida Panthers on Wednesday cut the ribbon on their long-awaited downtown Fort Lauderdale practice facility, Baptist Health IcePlex, a family-oriented centerpiece of the renovation of War Memorial Auditorium in Holiday Park.