Let There Be Gambling

Deal would net $150 million a year for the state

Gov. Charlie Crist is betting on the Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida and hopes the state will come up big.

After months of fighting, the Seminole Indians and Crist have agreed on a new deal to expand gaming at the tribe's Florida casinos that would net $6.8 billion for state coffers.

Crist signed the proposed 20-year compact Monday although it doesn't meet all conditions set by the Legislature. He said he thinks it's close enough, though, to win lawmakers' approval. It would pay the state at least $150 million a year -- a key legislative requirement.

"This compact provides a significant financial benefit to the people of Florida, and enables the state to invest in the future of Florida's children," Crist said in a letter to Seminole representatives.

But don't expect the Seminoles to give and not get. Under the proposal, the tribe ensured that they will be the main game in town while their competitors in the state come up craps.

If any of the parimutuels ever get competing slots or table games, the Seminoles would stop paying the state. That stipulation is sure to bring a big fight from owners of dog tracks and other non-Seminole casinos, who see the pact as an unfair competitive advantage to the Seminoles. The Seminoles also get to add blackjack tables to all of their casinos.

Lawmakers could vote on it at a special session expected to be set for October.

The Florida Supreme Court threw out an earlier compact Crist signed because it had not been approved by the Legislature. Lawmakers then directed the governor to try again, but set limits on the expansion and sought a bigger payout for the state.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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