Florida Seminole Gambling Issue Drags On With Same Hold-Ups

The deadline for the state and the Seminole Indians to complete a gambling compact is less than two weeks away in Florida. For months, the negotiations have been dragging on, and with the deadline right around the corner, the two sides are stuck on the same issues.

The Seminoles do not want to agree to the specifics of the compact as laid out by Florida lawmakers. They have already successfully negotiated a compact with Governor Charlie Crist back in 2007, and they want similar terms in this deal.

The state, however, is not willing to give the Seminoles the exclusivity rights to blackjack and other table games. That is one of the sticking points. The other has to do with how much money the Seminoles will have to give the state.

Without the exclusivity, the Seminoles do not feel they should pay the amount that the state is asking. The two sides have both been stubborn in their negotiating tactics, and with a couple weeks left until the deadline, a compromise is needed.

The National Indian Gaming Commission may have the final say in the dispute. The two sides are both holding strong to their stance because they both believe that the Commission will side with them. That is making the negotiations tense.

Florida gamblers are hoping that the state and the Seminoles can come to an amicable solution in the coming weeks, especially those in West Broward. The Seminoles have a casino in Coconut Creek that needs major renovating, but the tribe will not move forward with the expansion plans until an agreement is in place.

Governor Crist has shown that he has the ability to pull together a deal with the Seminoles. It is now crunch time, and both sides have their backs against the wall. Usually, that is when a deal is finally reached.

August 16, 2009
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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