Column: New Florida governor must deal with tribes

Monday, November 27, 2006  

"Unless the Seminoles are trying to corner the untapped alligator market, a mini-casino in a tent in the middle of the Everglades doesn't seem to make much sense. After all, the tribe already has seven casinos blanketing heavily populated areas from Tampa to Hollywood, including two hugely successful Hard Rock Hotels.

The odd little set-up at the Big Cypress reservation has all the markings of a bargaining chip.

The Seminoles are in a high-stakes showdown with the state over expanded gambling at its casinos. The tribe is all but assured of getting Vegas-style slot machines now that Broward County pari-mutuels have them. The tribe also presumably wants table games such as blackjack, roulette and craps, something outgoing Gov. Jeb Bush adamantly opposes.

It's a prospect that his successor, Charlie Crist, needs to deal with and accept.

Because of the miserable handling of tribal gambling the last two decades, with too many Florida politicians allowing sanctimony to trump reality, Crist finds himself facing two choices:

The Seminoles and Miccosukees will be allowed to upgrade to Vegas-style slot machines and pay the state nothing.

The Seminoles and Miccosukees will get Class III slot machines and table games and agree to give the state a share of the profits and oversight authority.

Even if you're opposed to gambling, you'd have to be brain dead to prefer Option A. It's just bad public policy."

Get the Story:
Michael Mayo: Crist must play tribal gambling card better than Bush (The South Florida Sun-Sentinel 11/26)
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