Seminole chairman slams comments about gaming compact

Friday, November 11, 2011

The leader of the Seminole Tribe vowed to defeat a bill that would expand non-Indian gaming in Florida.

The tribe signed a Class III gaming compact in 2010 that guaranteed exclusivity in exchange for revenue sharing. The bill would break the deal and end about $250 million in annual payments to the state.

"We will vigorously fight against any attack on our compact with the state," Chairman James Billie said in a press release. "We urge Florida legislators to step forward in support of our compact and refuse to pass any legislation that violates contractual agreements with the Seminole Tribe."

The bill authorizes three non-Indian casinos.

Get the Story:
Seminoles to fight destination casinos (The South Florida Sun-Sentinel 11/11)
Casino Revenues Remain a Gamble for Florida, State Economists Say (Sunshine State News 11/11)

Related Stories:
Opinion: Time to strengthen regulation of gaming in Florida (11/10)
Seminole Tribe's lawyer suggests expansion of Indian gaming (11/8)
Seminole Tribe aims to kill bill to expand non-Indian gaming (11/7)
Seminole Tribe pays twice as much as non-Indian facilities (11/4)
Column: Casino expansion must address Seminole compact (11/3)
License awarded for non-Indian gaming facility in Florida (11/1)
Bill to authorize non-Indian gaming breaks Seminole deal (10/27)