Editorial: Seminole Tribe the victor in gaming fight

Monday, December 1, 2008  

"The Seminole Tribe has upped the ante in the fight over expanded gambling in defiance of the Florida Supreme Court. By rolling out blackjack and other table games at Tampa's Seminole Hard Rock Casino earlier this month, the Seminoles are betting no one will stop them even though the court invalidated the compact they signed with Gov. Charlie Crist in 2007.

They probably are right, despite Attorney General Bill McCollum's efforts to get the National Indian Gaming Commission to intervene. Finally, some legislative leaders are talking to the Seminoles, and the Legislature should approve a compact before the state loses any more ground or potential revenue.

This is what happens when governors exceed their authority. Crist cut the deal allowing expanded gambling by the tribe without involving the Legislature. Lawmakers sued, and in July the state Supreme Court struck down the compact because the Legislature did not approve it. By then, the Seminoles already had added table games in South Florida. Now they are pushing further by expanding in Tampa."

Get the Story:
Editorial: In gambling fight, Florida outplayed (The St. Petersburg Times 11/29)

Another View:
Aaron Deslatte: Can 'sin' taxes be a savior for Florida's ailing budget? (The Orlando Sentinel 11/30)