Lawmakers Searching For Reason To Stop Florida Gambling Compact

The Seminole Indians have been willing for a couple of years now to share their casino wealth with the state of Florida. Outside of Governor Charlie Crist, however, it appears that lawmakers in the state are looking for reasons to not enter into a compact with the Seminoles.

On Friday, any politician looking for ammunition may have been handed a loaded gun. A study released suggests that by approving the Seminole casino gambling compact, the state may actually be taking money away from their tourism industry.

This news comes from a state that is watching people lose their jobs in the entertainment industry on a daily basis. Movie theatres and bars are closing at an alarming rate, and hotels are laying off their employees because they cannot fill their rooms due to the lack of convention tourism.

Economists signed off on the study Friday and claimed that the state could lose over $100 million a year by the Seminoles expanding their hotel business. The tribe is planning $3 billion worth of resort expansions should the compact be approved.

The state sales tax is at the core of the economists worry. Hotels competing for conventions would be playing from behind because they would have to pay sales tax while the Seminoles would not. Still, the money that could be generated from the compact far outweighs what could be lost.

The Seminoles have unveiled a plan to state lawmakers that includes millions of dollars in up front money. The plan also would create thousands of jobs at a time when many people in the state are losing their current employment.

March 23, 2009
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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