Galvano Finally Optimistic About Seminole Gambling Deal In Florida

Representative Bill Galvano has played hard ball with the Seminole Indians in Florida over a gambling compact for the better part of the past year. This week, however, the lead negotiator for the House acknowledged that a deal may be close.

At issue for many months has been the exclusivity that the Seminoles have sought in regards to blackjack and other table games. Lawmakers in the state have been unwilling to give the Seminoles the exclusivity, and up until now, the Seminoles have not budged on their stance.

For the first time throughout the negotiations, House and Senate leaders have become actively involved in the process. Having a better understanding of what the parameters for a deal should be, both sides have worked diligently to come to a compromise.

The apparent compromise would give the Seminoles exclusivity on the table games and on video lottery terminals outside of Broward and Miami-Dade counties. The compact would allow the state to walk away in three to five years if they choose to do so.

If the two sides have the issue resolved this session, the state would receive the $430 million that was already agreed upon in an earlier compact deal. The state would also receive around $150 million a year for five years and the Seminoles would receive the table game exclusivity for that time period.

Legislation has been proposed that would lower the pari-mutuel tax rate from fifty to thirty-five percent on their slot revenue. That would help the facilities compete with the Seminoles in Broward and Miami-Dade.

Governor Charlie Crist has been pushing the Seminole deal for several years. This year, with Florida facing a large budget deficit, the millions of dollars that would be created from the Seminole deal is needed, causing lawmakers to loosen their stance on the compact issue.

March 3, 2010
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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