The Seminole Tribe and the state of Florida are closing in on a Class III gaming compact.

The tribe met with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C., yesterday. State officials participated by phone.

Assistant secretary Carl Artman said both sides have made a lot of progress. "Hopefully, there will be a compact soon," he told Indianz.Com yesterday.

The tribe is offering to share revenues in exchange for slot machines and possibly table games. Gov. Charlie Crist (R) is being told by Republican lawmakers that the deal can't include table games.

Get the Story:
State Nears Casino Deal With Tribe (AP 9/12)
Crist, Seminoles gaming talks smooth, federal official reports (The South Florida Sun-Sentinel 9/12)
pwday
Feds ready to expand Seminole gambling (The St. Petersburg Times 9/12)
U.S. Officials Review Gaming Talks (The Tampa Tribune 9/12)