Governor Charlie Crist intended to hold a special legislative session during the month of October to discuss the need talks concerning the Seminole Gambling Compact. Now it looks like it is going to take a bit longer, months longer, to finally approve the deal. It is questionable whether it will be approved at all. The Governor signed the compact with the Indian tribe promising them approval soon.
Senate President doesn’t seem to think the situation is as clear cut as the governor did. He is emphasizing that time must be spent to examine the details of this compact before it can be approved.
The state would get at least $150 million a year on a scale rising to more than $500 million in 2029. Most of the money would go to run schools in the state. However, should the state allow casinos to be built outside Miami Dade and Broward County the compact would be null and void and the tribe would not have to make payments from these counties to the state? Should existing casinos in those counties allow blackjack, it would cut into the Seminole profits.
Atwater was concerned about the omission of Palm Beach County and some other areas of the state that are allowed to expand slot offerings should voters decide to do so. This fact does not show up in the new compact with the Seminole tribe. He is also concerned about some technical questions he is sending to Crist’s office with a deadline to be answered by October 9th. This list is essential before any decision can be made on the issue.
Governor Crist doesn’t understand the problem since this will bring much needed revenue into the state for the education of Florida’s children. Staff on the Regulated Industries Committee is taking apart the governor’s plan bit by bit to find changes to make it more politically easy for legislature to accept. They don’t want to offend any of the gambling tracks that have been in business for over 75 years.
The Pari-Mutuel gaming industry that run race tracks in the state of Florida and also operate State lottery machines are lobbying for lawmakers in Florida to throw out the Seminole deal. They say they are struggling to make a profit and granting their competitors this deal would really put a nail in their coffin. However, should the compact go through the state be able to collect millions of dollars for education in the state? There is a threat that the Seminoles will be able to expand their gambling endeavors and not have to give the state any of the money they make if the deal is not approved. The Pari-mutuels have a strong presence in state legislature because they employ over 25000 Florida residents. They say the 9% fall in revenue last year was due to the recession and competition from the Indian casinos.
It will be interesting to see what happens to the Seminole deal. Does the Pair-Mutuel gaming industry have a chance against the Indian tribes? Only time will tell.
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