Florida Continues To Leave Seminole Gambling Money In The Bank

Even at a time when Florida lawmakers are playing hard ball, the Seminole Indian tribe continues to put money away for the state. While lawmakers are cutting funding for important divisions such as education, the Seminoles have already put away $160 million for the state.

Instead of jumping at the opportunity to get their hands on the $165 million that the Seminoles have put in a bank account since they signed a compact with Governor Charlie Crist back in 2007. The money will begin going to the state as soon as a compact is finalized.

In addition to that $160 million, there is a projected $150 million a year that is being left on the table while lawmakers continue to posture and play the political game with the Seminoles. So while children are going to school without books, the legislature is flexing their muscle.

Legislators sent their best in to negotiate with the Seminoles a couple of months ago and they came out with an agreement. That agreement, however, is now being questioned by lawmakers who were not even in on the negotiations.

This is how the first deal that Crist signed with the Seminoles fell apart. Fearing that their authority, or egos, were harmed, legislators asked the Florida Supreme Court to void the 2007 compact. While they were busy posturing, the Seminoles continued to offer the expanded gambling games and put money in an account for the state.

Now, the time is nearing when the Seminoles will have been pushed too far. They always have the option of allowing the issue to be settled federally, and if they win, the state gets nothing while the Seminoles continue to operate their games.

For gamblers in the state, this may be the best case scenario. If the Seminoles are allowed to keep the games and not pay the state any of the revenue, the state will then be forced to counter by expanding gambling options at state pari-mutuels.

The clock is ticking and the money in the bank account is growing. Legislators need to make a choice, their egos, or school books for their children.

November 2, 2009
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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