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Gambling Deal Is Illegal

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 30, 2007

Regarding "Rolling The Dice On Ambition" (Metro, Nov. 27):

State Rep. Marco Rubio may be the political opportunist that Dan Ruth infers, but that is not what has created this clamor.

The deal that Governor Crist negotiated with the Seminole Indians is not legal because it gives them more than the voters of Broward approved for their county, which became the new ceiling for the Indians. Under the Crist plan, the Seminoles can offer new gaming above that ceiling. The government has no authority to go beyond that in negotiations with the Seminoles.

Ruth seems to believe that "more gambling, more opportunities to gamble and more people showing up at the tribe's various casinos to bet on stuff" is good for Florida. Yet each time the issue of gambling came before the people for a vote, it was overwhelmingly rejected.

Yes, the revenue has a marvelous ring, but not as the price for bringing statewide gambling and changing the face of Florida's tourist industry to a wonderful place to gamble.

LARRY QUIGLEY

Tampa

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