Florida newspaper calls on Gov. Rick Scott (R) to push for passage of a new Class III gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe:
Florida has had a lucrative, but difficult relationship with gambling ever since voters approved the Florida lottery in 1986. How difficult? Well, the last compact, which required the Seminole tribe to pay the state at least $1 billion over five years expired in July. The Seminoles, who currently retain exclusive rights to blackjack and other “banked” card games, satisfied that agreement. They could continue operating without paying the state a dime. The Scott deal would bring in a guaranteed minimum of $3 billion in revenue over seven years, more than double the amount of the old pact on an annual basis. In exchange, the Seminoles would be adding craps and roulette to blackjack at their seven casinos in the state — but couldn’t expand for 20 years. We agree with state Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, when he says: “Those are dollars that we’re going to be able to use for core services, education, transportation and health care.” In the signed compact, the Seminoles also pledge “to make significant investments” — $1.8 billion — in their gambling facilities. Most of that would be spent on non-gaming construction like hotel rooms.Get the Story: