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Casino Pact Takes Effect

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By TED JACKOVICS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 8, 2008

TAMPA - The Seminole Tribe of Florida's agreement with Gov. Charlie Crist took effect Monday to allow Las Vegas-style slot machines and card games, such as blackjack, at Seminole establishments, including the Hard Rock Casino in Tampa, an attorney for the tribe said Monday.

The printing of a notice in the Federal Register on Monday signified the compact between the U.S. Department of the Interior and Florida's governor was in place, said Barry Richard, of the Tallahassee office of the international law firm Greenberg Traurig.

The notice triggered a $50 million Seminole installment payment to the state Monday, and the agreement specifies the Seminole tribe must pay an additional $50 million this year with higher payments in the future, Richard said.

"The tribe can proceed with instituting Class 3 Las Vegas style slots gaming, but nothing will happen overnight," Richard said. "This will involve the purchase of machines, new personnel and making room on the casino floors."

Seminole officials have said it could take six months before gambling upgrades are in place in Tampa and the tribe's six other casinos in South Florida.

"Today's transfer of $50 million to the state of Florida is just the beginning of revenue that will potentially provide billions of dollars to Florida's schools during the next 25 years," Crist said in a news release. "While the Legislature holds the authority to appropriate these funds, I am confident they will use the power of the purse to improve the quality of life of Floridians for generations to come."

Despite a pending legal issue created by a movement in the Florida Legislature in November to challenge the compact, the tribe is likely to move forward with its plans for enhanced gambling, Richard said.

The tribe wants to be able to generate revenue it has promised the state, Richard said.

A federal district judge in Washington on Friday refused to block Crist's deal with the tribe after Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum made a late effort to delay the compact by questioning the governor's authority to make the deal. The Florida Supreme Court has scheduled hearings on McCollum's lawsuit Jan. 30.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at tjackovics@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7817.

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