Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) is defending a Class III gaming compact he signed with the Seminole Tribe, citing the increased payments that will be made to the state.

Crist's top aide said the tribe agreed to share nearly $6.8 billion over 20 years. Most of the money will be earmarked towards public education.

"This is a critical moment when it comes to resources that can go toward the children of Florida — that was the driving force behind getting this done," chief of staff Eric Eikenberg told The Bradenton Herald.

The deal allows the tribe to continue offering slot machines and table games at its casinos. Rep. Bill Galvano (R), who led a committee that proposed the terms of the deal, said the state gave up to much.

“By and large, you’re talking about making Florida a full-on gaming state, and at the same time, giving an absolute monopoly to the Seminole tribe in exchange for an amount of money that is maybe one-tenth of what could be earned if we didn’t give that full monopoly,” Galvano told the paper.

Crist wants the Florida Legislature to ratify the compact but lawmakers have yet to call a special session to address it.

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Galvano against new gaming terms (The Bradenton Herald 9/22)