Compacts | Openings & Closings

Seminole Tribe reveals details of Class III gaming negotiations

Thursday, March 19, 2015

A view of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel in Tampa, Florida. Photo from Facebook

With talks at a standstill, the Seminole Tribe revealed details of Class III gaming compact negotiations with news organizations in Florida.

The tribe was close to a deal with Gov. Rick Scott (R) a year ago this month. But state lawmakers balked at the proposed terms and a formal compact was never announced.

So the tribe asked to restart talks in January. That's when Scott punted, general counsel Jim Shore said.

“In January when we asked to restart the negotiation, he told us to talk to the Legislature — the House and the Senate — so we haven’t had any direct communication with the governor since then,’’ Shore told The News Service of Florida and The Miami Herald.

The tribe did talk to lawmakers but only in "general" terms, Shore said. Then a key lawmaker introduced a bill to expand non-Indian options.

The bill includes something "for everyone — but not the tribe," James Allen, the chief executive officer of Seminole Gaming told reporters. "[If] that’s what the state wants to do, there is no more relationship with the Seminole Tribe."

So far the tribe has shared more than $1 billion with the state in exchange for regional exclusivity on certain Class III games. That provision will expire in July so time is running out for a new compact.

Get the Story:
Seminole Tribe Looks For Opening In Gambling Talks (The News Service of Florida 3/19)
Seminoles work to revive stalled gaming talks (The Miami Herald 3/19)
Seminole Tribe celebrates new casino hotel (The Immokalee Bulletin 3/19)