Florida Gambling Compact Wrangling Still Dragging On
After several years of intense arguing and negotiating, a gambling agreement reached in August between Governor Charlie Crist and representatives of the Seminole Tribe looked like the end of the gaming debates for a while. But, even though the deal was based on a legislative package that had passed a vote, key figures in the state House are acting as if lawmakers have already voted down the package.
House Speaker Larry Cretul, among the leaders of the arch-conservative version of the plan that would shrink existing gambling, wrote a letter to the National Indian Gaming Council this week claiming negotiations are at "an impasse." Cretul wants the federal government to force Seminole tribal casinos to withdraw from offering table games and Class III slots, as per the terms of arrangements prior to the first Crist deal.
But Indian lawyers say that the Crist deal of 2008 was approved by the federal government, and the state Supreme Court saying that Crist had overstepped his authority did not negate federal recognition. The tribe is willing to work on the new deal, but retains its rights to operate under the controversial package until a new compact is signed.
"One big issue is who has the authority to decide if a compact is valid or not," said NIGC Chairman George Skibine. Historically, tribal compacts are registered with the federal government, not states.
Even if Cretul wins in the short run, the state is required by law to negotiate in good faith, and stalled talks could lead to federal granting of the right to move unilaterally to the Seminoles, leaving them with all the gaming and none of the taxes they have offered to pay, starting at $150 million a year. The game of chicken could result in a gambling disaster for Florida.
