Editorial: Compromise on Seminole gaming

Monday, August 17, 2009  

"It should have been an amicable arrangement that provides enough benefits to keep both the state of Florida and the Seminole Tribe contented. But the two sides are still far apart on a gaming compact, an agreement many believe is needed to clear any lingering controversy over the Seminoles' lucrative blackjack and card games.

The tribe wants to stick to an arrangement already made with Gov. Charlie Crist that guarantees them exclusive rights to operate card games while paying the state $100 million annually. State lawmakers successfully sued to have their say, and came up with a proposal for more money and limits on exclusivity.

At the moment, there is an impasse, with both sides believing a federal agency, the National Indian Gaming Commission, will make the final call in their favor. Such a tack amounts to a huge gamble that has lose-lose written all over it — for both sides.

Florida obviously needs the money. Legislators are already buzzing about another round of cuts and possible revenue enhancements needed to erase the projected shortfall for the upcoming budget. An infusion of money from Seminole gaming can't hurt. The state also loses out on new revenue from those pari-mutuels in Broward and Miami-Dade counties that can't take advantage of offering gaming until the compact deal is completed."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Compromise could make gambling compact a reality (The South Florida Sun Sentinel 8/15)