Seminole Tribe won't accept terms of compact

Wednesday, August 5, 2009  

The Seminole Tribe won't accept the terms of a compact proposed by the Florida Legislature, an attorney said.

The deal forces the tribe to share revenues without a guarantee of exclusivity for Class III games. “I think there’s no question that the law that was passed by the Legislature is invalid," attorney Barry Richard told The Orlando Sentinel. "It doesn’t meet the requirements of the (Indian Gaming and Regulatory Act.) In addition, the tribe tells me it's not economically feasible.”

"It doesn't serve anybody's purpose for the Legislature to pass what they did and say, 'Take it or leave it,' and it doesn't compy with either the letter or the spirit of IGRA," Richard said.

The tribe has until August 31 to sign a deal. Gov. Charlie Crist (R), who previously negotiated a compact with the tribe, said he was optimistic.

“I think it’s going to be fine, I really do,” Crist said, the Sentinel reported.

Get the Story:
Central Florida Political Pulse: Crist stays sunny-side-up on Seminole deal (The Orlando Sentinel 8/4)