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August 31, 2009
Followup - It's "Deadline Day" for Florida/Seminole gambling compacts
As the Pensacola News-Journal reports:
News Journal capital bureau
TALLAHASSEE - Today is the deadline for Gov. Charlie Crist to reach a $150 million deal with the Seminole Tribe to expand gambling in Florida
It's a deadline Crist is likely to meet.
"I'm confident that we will reach a deal," Crist said.
Closely monitoring the negotiations are House and Senate leaders who have to sign off on the deal, most likely in a special session in October.
Watching nervously on the sidelines are dog and horse track and jai-alai fronton owners, especially those in South Florida who have been promised lower taxes, expanded hours, unlimited card games and other incentives to offset the competition.
The stakes are high. Without a compact, the struggling pari-mutuels lose their incentives. Without a compact, the state won't see a dime.
Lead House negotiator Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, warned that if Crist gives the Seminoles too sweet a deal, lawmakers may throw up their hands and bump the negotiations up to the U.S. Department of the Interior. Doing so would mean the tribe, which is considered an independent nation, would get expanded casino -style gambling and the state would be left out in the cold.
See the full story HERE.
twp
August 31, 2009 in Casinos and Gaming, General Interest, Treaties and Other Agreements | Permalink
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