Florida Seminole Casino Gambling Deal May Be Near
Just when hope of a compromise that could pass the Florida legislature looked bleak, negotiators striving to craft a casino gambling bill between the state and the Seminole Tribe say a breakthrough may be coming. Recent comments by lawmakers had shown a desire to open gambling up beyond the scope of the tribal casinos and allow pari-mutuel operators extensive new gaming.But a deal to free up $430 million in escrow for state revenues has legislators considering granting the Seminoles much desired exclusive rights to certain gaming, only in a shorter-term package than the 20-year agreement originally floated.
By giving tribal gambling venues exclusive rights to blackjack, and to slots other than at Dade and Broward County race tracks, lawmakers would allow Seminoles to bank steadily while paying a minimum of $150 million annually. But limiting the bargain to a span of three to five years also gives the state the right to expand gambling and even consider resort casinos on its beaches.
The new law would also lower taxes on racino slots from 50 percent of revenue to 35, giving them a better competitive playing field against the Indian casinos.
"I think we're very close," said Representative Will Weatherford, one of the Republican leaders in the House who had balked at earlier proposals. "I think we'll have an agreement that we can work with."
Tribal leaders have continued to operate under the terms of the deal they worked with Governor Charlie Crist, even though the state Supreme Court said the deal was void due to Crist not having authority to reach such a commitment. The $430 million in the bank is what would have gone to the state under that agreement.
