Scott Inks Seminole Compact Deal
December 8th, 2015 by Mike VasilindaBlackjack and other card games could soon be joined by roulette and craps at the Seminole Tribes casinos in Florida. Governor Rick Scott concluded more than a year of negotiation last night. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, the deal faces some criticism for expanding gambling and issues around dog and horse tracks need to be worked out by lawmakers.
The newly negotiated deal will give the Seminole tribe exclusive rights to black jack for another 20 years and add roulette and craps to the mix of games the tribe can offer.
Governor Rick Scott says of the signing: “This is a historic day.”
Scott says the compact will give the state 3 billion over seven years. The old deal brought the state a billion over 5.
“And I took the time to do a historic compact. It is a good compact for the state. Again, I respect the decision of the legislature.They’ll make the final decision” says Scott.
The current deal excluded two of the Tribe’s seven casinos…those casinos will start offering the banked games once the deal is ratified by lawmakers. Senate President . Andy Gardiner says opinions on the deal will start to roll in. “Really, over the next three or four days as everybody starts reviewing it, you’ll see where the different opinions are. And I’m sure there’ll be a lot of opinions on it” says the Senate President.
Back in October, both the Tribe and the State sued each other in Federal court. those suits will remain in play, just in case lawmakers balk at the deal.
In a statement, Tribe Chairman James Bille also called the deal Historic and says it will create up to 15 thousand jobs.
But No Casino’s Inc says the deal breaks a trust with Floridians.
“We’re obviously disappointed that the compact provides for the expansion of gambling, both on and off of Tribal property” John Sowinski.
Sowinski says cash earned at a casino is not new to the economy. “A dollar spent in a casino is a dollar not spent in a movie theatre and in a restaurant.”
Under the deal, lawmakers could expand slots in South Florida and change how dog tracks operate.
In a letter delivering the deal to lawmakers, the Governor says the compact “represents an unprecedented level of cooperation between the State of Florida and the Seminole Tribe of Florida.”
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