Seminole Tribe likely to reject compact proposal

Friday, June 12, 2009  

The Seminole Tribe of Florida probably won't approve the terms of a compact proposed by state lawmakers, the tribe's attorney said.

The tribe is concerned about the increased revenue-sharing rate in the new deal, attorney Barry Richard said. Also, the lack of exclusivity for Class III games is an issue.

"I feel firmly that the tribe couldn't live with it and the Department of Interior wouldn't approve it," Richard told The South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

When reviewing revenue-sharing, the Bureau of Indian Affairs typically determines whether the compact provides exclusivity. Non-Indian racetracks in south Florida already offer slot machines and could offer table games in the future but the new deal still requires the tribe to share revenues with the state.

Get the Story:
Seminoles balk at Florida's new casino legislation (The South Florida Sun-Sentinel 6/12)