The clock is ticking on a gambling agreement between Florida and the Seminole Indian Tribe, which has exclusive rights to popular casino table games, mainly blackjack and baccarat, at five of its casinos in Florida.
The state's compact with the Seminole Tribe is about to expire. It's worth millions of dollars in revenue to the state and right now nobody knows what's going to happen when the deal ends on July 31st.
Former governor Charlie Crist made the deal with the Seminoles back in 2010.
They are currently making revenue sharing payments of about $19 million a month.
Governor Rick Scott has made no progress in negotiating a new deal, but sounds confident one will be struck.
"We are going to make sure we get the right deal, if there is a deal to be had, we're going to make sure we get the right deal to be had for all Florida taxpayers," Governor Scott said.
Local casino owners, like Magic City's Izzy Havenick, pay close attention to any development the state makes regarding gambling because right now there's no plan for the future of gaming in Florida. Havenick would like that to change.
Local
"We would like to be able to grow our business to add more amenities we have just started comedy shows and concerts but we would love to add restaurants and some retail and we can't do anything until we are told what tomorrow brings," Havenick said.
Yesterday the Seminoles delivered a letter to the governor informing him that the $19 million monthly payments will go into an escrow account until the matter is settled.
