Florida Governor Approves Seminole Casino Bill
Governor Charlie Crist of Florida signed the legislative compromise on expanded Florida casino gambling Monday, leaving the Seminole Tribe as the only party left to agree. The bill hammered out between the pro-gaming Senate and anti-gambling House now goes to negotiations between the tribe and the governor.
After Crist had arranged a previous deal with the Seminoles, the state Supreme Court said he had overstepped his authority. Seminole casinos have continued to operate under the compact while lawmakers had their say on how to handle the issue of expanded gambling.
Under the new proposal, Seminole casinos in the state will have exclusive rights to blackjack and other table games. In return the tribe must pay the state $150 million annually, plus an adjustable amount based on tribal casino profits.
Crist will have until the end of August to submit an agreement with the tribe back to the legislature for approval, time he will surely need as tribal representatives said the deal might not be acceptable. The original deal required the payment only be $100 million, and the new arrangement contains loopholes tribal lawyers say may allow the state to break the table gaming exclusivity without voiding the compact.
Crist noted that making a deal is paramount, as failure to reach agreement may lead to federal authorities granting the Seminoles the games they want without any payment to the state at all.
