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Legislators agree on plan to expand Seminole casino gambling

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The Associated Press

Published: May 6, 2009

Updated: 05/06/2009 09:04 pm

TALLAHASSEE - Legislative negotiators agreed on what Gov. Charlie Crist called a "great" deal to expand gambling at Seminole Indian casinos today, some six hours after their talks were on the brink of collapse.

Both sides made concessions. The House accepted a broader gaming expansion than many of its members wanted. The Senate agreed to less than it had been pushing for.

The agreement has the potential to generate millions of dollars for state coffers that have been shrinking due the faltering economy.

The next questions are whether both chambers will pass the compromise when it comes to a vote Friday and then if the tribe will accept it. A Seminole spokesman said it was under review.

"I'm quite hopeful about it," Crist said. "This is a great victory for the children of Florida and for education."

One issue quickly settled was what to do with a minimum of $150 million annually the state expects to gain from the deal. It would go into the state's Education Enhancement Trust Fund, that pays for such things as college scholarships, school construction and other education needs at all levels.

Rep. Bill Galvano, the House's gaming negotiator, said the Seminoles will be hard pressed to pass up the deal but acknowledged many of his members will disapprove.

"There are those members who just have a complete aversion to anything that has to do with gaming," Galvano said. "There will be 'no' votes."

Crist has been a frequent visitor to the talks and was on hand as Galvano, R-Bradenton, and Senate Ways and Means Chairman JD Alexander, R-Lake Wales, resolved their differences.

The governor previously negotiated a compact acceptable to the tribe, but the Florida Supreme Court nullified it, ruling the Legislature must approve any deal with the Seminoles. He said the legislative proposal compares favorably with his deal.

It would permit banked card games such as blackjack and baccarat at the tribe's three Broward County casinos and one in Tampa. Banked games would not be allowed at other facilities in Immokalee, Brighton and Coconut Creek. Las Vegas style slot machines and no-limit poker would be permitted at all seven sites.

To help pari-mutuels compete with the tribal casinos, the agreement includes lowering the tax rate from 50 percent to 35 percent on slot machines at horse and dog tracks and jai ali frontons in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, the only places where they are legal.

Pari-mutuels also would get higher poker betting limits and be able to race thoroughbred horses at night. The South Florida tracks, though, could add blackjack only through legislative and voter approval.

The House initially opposed any banked card games at the Seminole casinos. The Senate came out of the gate pushing for full casinos at each of the seven sites.

After some give on both sides, Alexander reneged on his last offer earlier today and again proposed no-limit poker, slot machines and banked card games at all seven casinos. He said Seminole leaders told him they must have "the opportunity to generate the dollars" if the state expects to receive substantial proceeds.

"It appears the Senate, with all due respect ... is moving backward," Galvano said, adding he was unsure they'd meet again.

Galvano, though, later came back with what called a final offer. Alexander accepted it, saying he didn't want to take a chance on losing the gaming money given the House's firm posture.

The deal includes an annual $150 million minimum guarantee to the state — higher than Seminoles prefer.

The state's first-year take is expected to be at least $300 million because the Seminoles already have put $150 million aside under Crist's compact that couldn't be paid when the Supreme Court struck it down.

If the full Legislature passes the deal, Crist will negotiate the details with the tribe. The final agreement then would have to return to the Legislature for approval at a special session or next year's regular session.

Lawmakers already are in a one-week extension of this year's session, but it will end Friday.

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