"Somewhat lost in all the sharp criticism of the gambling agreement that Gov. Charlie Crist signed with the Seminole tribe on Wednesday is this consideration:

It was going to happen with or without the state's permission.

Florida voters opened the floodgates to tribal gambling by approving a constitutional amendment in 2004 to allow slot machines in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. According to federal law, when states expand gambling, tribes must be allowed to as well.

This past June 22, the U.S. Department of the Interior gave Crist 60 days to reach an agreement with the Seminole tribe allowing those same type of slot machines that voters approved. Otherwise, the federal government would step in and impose an agreement, also known as a compact - thus cutting Florida out of any share of the profits.

In August, the Interior Department, which regulates tribal gaming, extended that deadline to Thursday. Crist beat that by a day."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Gambling compact (The Bradenton Herald 11/16)

More Opinions:
Editorial: Casino-style gambling (The Naples Daily News 11/15)
Mark Lane: Legalized gaming and legal games -- how much expansion? (The Daytona Beach News-Journal 11/16)