Slim prospects for new Seminole Tribe compact

Thursday, March 5, 2009  

Republican lawmakers in Florida say they probably won't approve a new Class III gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe.

Lawmakers said it will be hard to address all the interests at play. They appear to be mainly concerned with the non-Indian race track industry, whose owners went to voters to get approval for slot machines.

"At this point, there's no compact," Sen. Dennis Jones (R) told The South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "If we move forward, we're going to try to create a compact that's fair to everybody."

The tribe is still offering slot machines and card games under a compact that was ruled invalid by the state courts. The tribe will seek federal approval to continue operating the games, a lawyer said.

Get the Story:
Florida lawmakers won't OK current Seminole gambling compact (The South Florida Sun-Sentinel 3/5)
Session Could End Without Gaming Pact (The Tampa Tribune 3/5)
State's gambling compact with Seminole Tribe is a top priority with lawmakers (The St. Petersburg Times 3/5)