"It started off negatively enough, but credit the Seminole Tribe of Florida with finally coming up with the right game plan. The tribe shut down its high-stakes poker games to comply with state law.

The "fold" by the tribe means local gamblers hoping to skirt the pari-mutuel card rooms for more lucrative card games at the Seminoles' casinos will be out of luck. But Florida officials, who have been laggards in dealing with the Seminoles, may have caught a lucky, if perhaps temporary, break.

The pari-mutuels and the tribe will play the same game — at least for the moment. Still, it's the tribe that has the winning hand.

It's hard to guess motive. The decision could be a ploy to grab the state's attention or be a genuine effort at setting the stage for good faith negotiations.

Let's hope for the latter. The tribe has taken a positive step. The state now should deal in good faith."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Seminole Tribe helps itself by abiding by new state law (The South Florida Sun-Sentinel 7/12)
pwday