"The Department of Indian Affairs in Washington presented Gov. Charlie Crist, late last year, with the following ultimatum: Either enter into a compact with the Seminole Tribe, or the federal government will level the playing field and allow the Tribe to install and operate Class III gaming without being taxed. The governor and the tribe negotiated a compact that would guarantee the state at least $100 million a year from gaming profits. Legislators then presented their case to the state Supreme Court, stating that the compact should be nullified because they had not taken part in the negotiations. The Supreme Court agreed. Therefore, an annual $100 million windfall that would greatly help the taxpayers of this state is no longer on the table.

The issue that seems to be influencing the legislators is the negative effect that Indian casinos have on the pari-mutuel industry. It should be noted that pari-mutuel venues, particularly the greyhound racing tracks, have been experiencing declining revenues for years, and the state has had to bail out the industry on a few occasions with tax breaks. The demise of the racing industry occurred before the Seminoles had slot machines. "

Get the Story:
Barbara Levine: Special interests holding the reins on Indian gaming (The South Florida Sun-Sentinel 1/31)