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Don't Let Gambling Conquer State

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 22, 2009

It's unfortunate Gov. Charlie Crist didn't possess the steely resolve of former governors Lawton Chiles and Jeb Bush when it came to combating efforts by the Seminole Tribe to turn Florida into a casino-gambling state.

Crist overstepped his authority in 2007 by negotiating a compact with the tribe in exchange for guarantees of tens of millions of dollars a year without legislative approval, and the Florida Supreme Court scrapped the deal.

Now, Seminole casinos have become mini-Las Vegases - including the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa - and the state's parimutuel industry is demanding a level playing field.

The question now before the Legislature is whether the state should ratify the compact Crist negotiated with the Seminoles, limiting blackjack and other high-stakes card games to tribe facilities, or open up more of the state to games not legally available elsewhere.

The answer should be clear: The expanded gambling Crist allowed now is established at the Seminole facilities and sanctioned by the federal government. There is no undoing the damage. The state should approve the compact and let the pari-mutuels, which already offer lesser forms of gambling, fend for themselves.

Florida already has too much gambling - Seminole casinos, pari-mutuels, gaming boats that cruise into international waters and, of course, the state-run lottery, which recently added Powerball.

These games prey largely on the vulnerable, those looking to solve all their problems by throwing money away in search of the big score. It is a societal ill that is threatening Florida's family-oriented, progressive image and sweeping the nation as states in financial crisis look for more revenue.

The compact Crist negotiated with the Seminoles at least would guarantee Florida would receive millions of dollars a year in exchange for allowing card games that would remain illegal elsewhere in the state. Crist and lawmakers are at a clear disadvantage because federal law grants the Seminoles special protections. Florida is unlikely to be able to force the tribe to accept pre-compact restrictions.

Under the 25-year deal, the state would receive $50 million immediately and another $175 million over the first two years. After that, the tribe would pay the state at least $100 million a year. The tribe even upped the ante earlier this month by pledging $288 million right away if the compact were approved.

Unquestionably, these payments would help ease the state's financial woes as lawmakers grapple with a $5 billion budget deficit and future economic uncertainty.

Further, it's highly possible that the state wouldn't receive a cent while the Seminoles offered their Vegas-style slots, blackjack and other games. Lawmakers should not allow that to happen.

Federal officials had notified the state that they were going to allow expanded Seminole gaming - with no state revenue requirements - in 2007. That's when Crist took it upon himself to negotiate a deal, which federal officials signed off on early last year even while a lawsuit the state House filed challenging it was pending.

Chiles successfully fought the Tribe in and outside court for years. Bush picked up the battle and was able to fend off increased gaming after federal officials said they were going to allow it 2001 and 2006. Crist was too eager to strike a deal when federal officials issued the 2007 deadline.

The tribe continues to offer the games - flaunting them, even, on billboards and in other advertisements - despite the state Supreme Court's ruling. Federal officials deserve blame as well for not respecting the ruling.

Still, lawmakers would be foolish not to approve the compact, given federal officials' apparent unwillingness to step in and stop the games.

The hankering by pari-mutuels to get in on the action is another issue - one they created with the help of voters who gave their blessing to slot machines at pari-mutuels in Broward and Miami-Dade counties in 2004. This, it should be stressed, gave Seminoles cause to increase their offerings.

Pari-mutuels complain expanded Seminole gaming is hurting them, but lawmakers should not buckle to industry pressure. Offering more gambling at these facilities would only encourage more people to throw away money that could be put into the economy.

The industry will have to find a way to adjust on its own.

The bottom line is that gambling once again has expanded in Florida, which is unfortunate considering its destructive effect on individuals and communities. The state has lost this time, but it should be developing a strong defense for the next fight. Because it's a safe bet the gambling industry will continue its effort to conquer the Sunshine State.

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