Florida committee offers deal to Seminole Tribe

Wednesday, December 10, 2008  

A special committee set up by the Florida Legislature is already offering a new Class III deal to the Seminole Tribe.

The tribe would still be able to operate slot machines but not card games. A lawyer for the tribe responded less than favorably to the offer.

"There has never been any reason to discuss that because from the very beginning of the negotiations, table games were on the table," Barry Richard told The Palm Beach Post.

Voters in South Florida legalized slot machines, giving the tribe the right to offer them. But Republican lawmakers say games like blackjack and baccarat can't be included in a compact without a change in state law.

The tribe's existing compact, which was approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, authorized slots and card games. The tribe has continued to offer the games despite a Florida Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the agreement.

Get the Story:
Seminoles would hold Vegas slots, fold card games, under proposal (The Palm Beach Post 12/10)
House Committee To Review Seminole Deal (The Tampa Tribune 12/10)
Lawmakers to review Crist's gambling pact with Seminoles (The Miami Herald 12/10)
Panel formed to redo Seminole casino deal (The South Florida Sun-Sentinel 12/10)