Opinions: A new gaming compact for Seminole Tribe

Friday, May 8, 2009  

The St. Petersburg Times: "Florida has more than enough gambling. Ideally, it would have less. But the compromise the Florida Legislature is expected to vote on today appears to expand gambling in a measured way. It is not an ideal solution, but it is a practical one.

The outline of this compromise is far from perfect. It will require many lawmakers to hold their nose to vote for it. And it is still predicated on the Seminoles signing on to the deal. But the alternative is to continue a stalemate between the Seminoles, who are raking in gambling cash, and the state, which is receiving nothing in return. This limbo cannot last forever, and this compromise appears to be a reasonable way to move forward."

The Palm Beach Post: "House and Senate leaders have reached an acceptable compromise on gambling, and the full Legislature should approve it today.

Not that an expansion of gambling - which could include the addition of slot machines at the Palm Beach Kennel Club - is anything to cheer about. But once Floridians opened the door to high-stakes gambling at Miami-Dade and Broward "racinos" by amending the constitution in 2004, more expansion was inevitable."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Gambling deal gets the job done (The St. Petersburg Times 5/8)
EDITORIAL: Pass decent gambling deal (The Palm Beach Post 5/8)