Indian Gaming > Remote casino a deal-breaker for Seminole Tribe

November 22, 2006

Remote casino a deal-breaker for Seminole Tribe

A small, remote casino near the Florida Everglades broke down talks between the Seminole Tribe and outgoing Gov. Jeb Bush (R), The South Florida Sentinel-Sun reports.

The Big Cypress Casino only has 63 electronic gaming machines and two employees. But Bush wanted it shut down before he agreed to a Class III compact with the tribe.

"We believe that it is not in the best interests of the state of Florida, the national parks that are in that area, or anyone else for there to be casino operations," Bush's general counsel said at a meeting with tribal leaders and federal officials, according to a transcript quoted by the paper.

The tribe doesn't plan to expand the facility, which pales in comparison to the Hard Rock resorts located closer to urban areas. But a spokesman said more development could come to the Big Cypress Reservation, an idea that has the state worried about the environment and the Everglades.

The tribe has the right to offer slot machines because voters legalized them in 2004. But since talks broke down, the Interior Department is going to issue Class III procedures for the tribe.

Get the Story:
Seminoles offering slots in remote Big Cypress tent as challenge to Florida (The South Florida Sentinel-Sun 1/22)
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