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State lawmakers hope to resolve a gaming deal sooner than later, so they’ll know whether or not they can use money from the deal to build the budget. Dennis Jones, the chairman of the Senate’s Regulated Industries committee says he’s working closely with his counter part in the House to get the gaming compact moving.

“We are going to try to move the issue up toward the center of the session not towards the end, and I’m hopeful we can come to an agreement this year, but again it’s simply a balancing act to make sure that one industry doesn’t trump the other,” said Jones

The original gaming compact gave exclusive rights to blackjack and other games to the Seminole Tribe. Lawmakers are trying to work out a deal that extends the deal to all Florida casinos.