"Gov. Charlie Crist made a mistake in 2007 by signing a gambling compact with the Seminole Indian Tribe without legislative approval. But after months of legislative discussion, Crist's deal with the tribe is starting to look like Florida's best option to satisfy federal gaming law, guarantee immediate cash in hand and limit gambling. The Legislature would be wise to embrace it instead of pushing disparate agendas that risk lawsuits or a gross expansion of gambling.

Crist's compact, since invalidated by the Florida Supreme Court, gave the tribe exclusive rights for 25 years to offer blackjack and other house-banked card games in Florida in exchange for paying the state millions of dollars annually. Despite the court saying Crist overstepped his bounds by negotiating with the Seminoles without consulting the Legislature, the governor's deal is the de facto reality in Florida.

The tribe installed Vegas-style slot machines and added house-banked card games at its Hollywood and Tampa Hard Rock Casinos last year. Calls from Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum to the National Indian Gaming Commission to shut down the games following the Supreme Court's ruling have gone unanswered, suggesting federal authorities are hesitant to get involved. Meanwhile, the tribe continues to make payments to a state escrow account. It says it is doing so in good faith because it wants to sign the same or similar deal with the Legislature."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Governor's compact good bet for Florida (The Tampa Bay Tribune 4/5)

More Stories:
Crist Embraces Seminole Gaming Compact, Draws Foes (The Tampa Bay Tribune 4/4)
House's gaming proposal would revoke Seminoles' rights to blackjack (The St. Petersburg Times 4/4)
Florida House panel passes scaled-back gambling bill (The Miami Herald 4/4)
Florida House panel OKs limits on tribal gambling (The South Florida Sun-Sentinel 4/4)
House sets table for gambling legislation (The Bradenton Herald 4/4)