Seminole Tribe battling some big players in gaming debate

Tuesday, January 31, 2012  

The Seminole Tribe is going up some some big names as state lawmakers consider a bill to authorize up to three non-Indian casinos.

The Genting Group, a Malaysian company with ties to Indian Country, Las Vegas Sands and even Walt Disney World are hoping to land a new casino. They are spending just as much money, and in some cases a lot more, on lobbying as the tribe.

"The tribe opposes the bill to expand gaming in Florida because it seeks to preserve the compact, an agreement that took 20 years to achieve," spokesperson Gary Bitner told The Tampa Tribune.

If the state authorizes new casinos, the tribe won't have to share revenues under its Class III gaming compact.

Get the Story:
Casino proposal holds high stakes for Seminoles' gambling monopoly (The Tampa Tribune 1/31)

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