Florida Governor Close To Deal With Seminoles For Full Gambling

According to sources close to negotiations, a deal between the Seminole Indians and the state of Florida is close to getting done, which means full gaming could be coming to the sunshine state in the near future.

The sticking point to the deal could be the fact that Crist might not be able to enter into a compact with the Indian tribe without it being approved by legislation.

Already supreme courts in Kansas, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin have ruled that their governors must get legislative approval to finalize compacts. In Mississippi, however, a federal court backed the governor's ability to enter into a compact.

Crist believes he has the authority to enter into a compact, but if he does, a legal battle could follow that could take months to resolve.

The final sticking points of the compact are currently being ironed out, they are, how much money the state will receive, and how much the state will be able to regulate the Seminoles casinos.

Both sides said they expect an agreement to be reached by the end of the week.

August 20, 2007
Posted By Vincent Tapoglia III
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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