Column: State's cut at issue in Seminole compact

Monday, October 8, 2007  

"The state released the latest draft of a proposed 25-year gambling agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida last week, but it didn't include the most important thing: the amount of the state's cut.

And the proposed compact has a disconcerting number of escape clauses that could allow the Seminoles to stop paying the state while still offering Vegas-style slot machines, blackjack and baccarat at its seven casinos.

We still don't know exactly how much the tribe will pay the state for table games such as blackjack and baccarat, which are currently illegal in the state, and the Vegas-style slot machines that the Broward pari-mutuels have. The draft refers to a payment schedule as set forth in "Exhibit A," but Exhibit A was not included.

"We're still talking, so there is no Exhibit A in writing," said Barry Richard, the tribe's attorney.

Richard said the Seminoles have agreed to give the state $50 million up front and at least $100 million annually after that, which sounds good until you realize the amount is less than 10 percent of their annual gambling profits.

The Seminoles, a sovereign nation that can't be taxed by the state, currently pay nothing for their Class II gambling operations."

Get the Story:
Michael Mayo: Tribal compact could be crapshoot for Florida (The South Florida Sun-Sentinel 10/7)
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