Blog: Seminole Tribe asks for new gaming deal

Thursday, July 23, 2009  

"Reports that the Seminole Tribe is not happy with the structure of a gambling compact set up by the Florida Legislature is not producing much sympathy from State Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton.

Galvano told the Bradenton Kiwanis Club yesterday that if the Seminoles want to restructure the deal Galvano helped craft in May, the state should refuse and tell the Seminoles to negotiate with the federal government instead, potentially risking the tribe losing card games like blackjack.

That approach could be problematic for the state though. The Legislature is counting on $150 million a year in revenue for education funding based on the deal.

Galvano told about 50 people at the Kiwanis Club that the deal that was set up, which allows blackjack and other card games at the Seminole casino in Tampa, was a good one that allows Gov. Charlie Crist to negotiate a fair deal with the tribe."

Get the Story:
Political Insider by Jeremy Wallace: Galvano opposed to re-negotiating Seminole compact (The Sarasota Herald Tribune 7/22)

Also Today:
Million-dollar slots? Broward casinos ready to roll dice (The Palm Beach Post 7/23)