"Florida should try to get as much income from gambling as possible but expand gambling as little as possible.

A year ago, Gov. Crist signed an agreement with the Seminole Tribe that allowed Las Vegas-style slot machines at tribal casinos and exclusive rights in Florida to run table games such as blackjack and baccarat. Previously, the tribe had run lower-stakes slots. The tribe, which had paid nothing to the state, agreed to pay Florida at least $100''million a year for 25 years.

The House committee will have to examine the legal arguments. Then come the economics: Are the Seminoles paying enough? Would Indian casinos with exclusivity kill other tax-producing gambling operations? Should non-Indian casinos get a reduction in their 50 percent tax rate? Would that actually increase activity, and therefore tax revenue, as they claim, and keep them out of court if the Seminoles get exclusivity?

The state can't gamble its way out of the budget hole. But last year, the House might just have told the Seminoles no and fought with them in court. The budget hole improves the odds of an agreement next year, the state needs to finally resolve what voters began in 2004 by expanding gambling."

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Editorial: Get final deal on gambling (The Palm Beach Post 12/16)