"I finally got around to dissecting the 105-page gambling bill the Legislature passed earlier this month. I never thought I'd say this, but the proposed compact with the Seminoles is an astonishingly good document.

It fixes faults and closes escape clauses in the 2007 version signed by the governor.

It protects the interests of gamblers and the state. It gives plenty to the tribe while getting more money from their casinos: a minimum $150 million a year, up from $100 million in the previous version.

It also leaves the door open to more gambling throughout the state, including blackjack at South Florida pari-mutuel racinos and bingo-style slot machines elsewhere.

Why is this a good thing? Because the state needs to keep its revenue options open. The previous version let the Seminoles stop payments if bingo-style slots were approved in other counties. This proposal doesn't."

Get the Story:
Michael Mayo: Give Legislature credit for practical gambling deal (The South Florida Sun-Sentinel 5/19)