Compacts

Seminole Tribe ramps up talks for new Class III casino compact

Thursday, October 15, 2015

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Photo from Facebook

Class III gaming negotiations between the Seminole Tribe and the state of Florida appear to be progressing.

According to The Miami Herald, tribal leaders flew to Tallahassee, the state capital, to meet with Gov. Rick Scott (R) and key lawmakers on Tuesday and Wednesday. Key provisions of a 2010 compact expired in July and the parties are looking at options to extend the agreement.

“I think this deal lives and dies in the drafting stage,’’ Rep. Jose Felix Diaz (R), who is identified as the lead negotiator for the Florida House, told the Herald. “A compact, a compact extension, or an amendment will require significant lawyering.”

According to The News Service of Florida, options include an increase in the tribe's revenue sharing payments in exchange for continued exclusivity on blackjack and card games. That could bring another $3 billion to the state over the next seven years.

The tribe has already shared more than $1 billion since 2010.

Get the Story:
With deadline looming, Seminoles secretly meet with governor to renew compact (The Miami Herald 10/14)
Some Progress Made In New State Gambling Deal (CBSMiami and News Service of Florida 10/14)

An Opinion:
Jack Cory: Florida’s greyhound racing industry deserves protection (The Palm Beach Post 10/15)