"It's as if Indian gaming was still confined to a big metal barn out on U.S. 441.

The state's elected leaders groused when that first tacky bingo hall opened in 1979. And attitudes haven't changed.

Other tribes around the nation followed the Seminoles into gambling, and last year their combined take in the United States was $22.62 billion.

Over the years, other states worked out lucrative deals with sovereign tribes for a cut of the casino haul.

But the one constant over the past 27 years: Florida's refusal to recognize the reality of tribal casinos.

It was no secret two years ago that if a racino referendum passed and parimutuels were allowed to install slot machines, Florida's Seminole and Miccosukee tribes would petition the U.S. Department of the Interior for the right to swap their electronic bingo terminals for Class III Vegas-style slots."

Get the Story:
Fred Grimm: Stakes are high when it comes to slot machines (The Miami Herald 10/29)
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