Legislators oppose deal to allow
Vegas-style gambling at Seminole casinos

By Linda Kleindienst
Tallahassee Bureau Chief
Copyright © 2007, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Tuesday, September 11, 2007

TALLAHASSEE: In a move that could jeopardize a state gambling agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, state House leaders on Monday vowed to kill any deal that allows Las Vegas-style table games at the tribe's seven casinos.

In a letter to Gov. Charlie Crist, House Speaker Marco Rubio rejected the idea of allowing new forms of gambling and using profits to help dig the state out of its current budget crunch.

Crist's office has been negotiating with the tribe over the past four months. The Seminoles have offered the state $50 million up front and a minimum of $100 million a year in exchange for the right to have Las Vegas-style slot machines as well as blackjack and baccarat.

"Because of our opposition to the expansion of gambling, we believe that the pursuit of increased revenue for the state should be of secondary importance in Florida's negotiations with the Tribe," said the letter signed by Rubio, R-West Miami; House Speaker Pro Tempore Marty Bowen, R-Winter Haven; House Speaker Designate Ray Sansom, R-Destin; Council Chair Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park; Majority Leader Adam Hasner, R-Boca Raton; and Majority Whip Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale.

If the state doesn't act soon, the U.S. Department of Interior has warned Crist that it can step in and let the tribe have traditional slot machines. Under that scenario the state would get no revenue, but the Seminoles would get no table games.

There are differing legal opinions on whether the Legislature has to ratify the final agreement, known as a compact. But House and Senate leaders are adamant they must have a say, with some lawmakers threatening a lawsuit if Crist sanctions a compact without their approval.

"I don't think the governor wants to get into a spitting match over this," said Senate Democratic Leader Steve Geller, D-Cooper City.

Senate leaders have deferred comments on the specifics of the current negotiations, but House leaders made it clear on Monday that they are willing to let the Seminoles operate only the same type of slot machines now offered at Broward County's pari-mutuels.

"For us, money is not and never will be the primary consideration. Rather, we believe the aim of the negotiations should be to agree to the bare minimum amount of gambling to which the Tribe is entitled to under the law," they wrote Crist.

Barry Richard, an attorney for the Seminoles, said the state could reap billions from the Indian casinos over the next two decades, but the total would depend on what games are allowed.

"There are various scenarios that return far in excess of $100 million a year over the life of the contract," Richard said. "The amount of money that goes to the state changes based on what's in [the compact]."

Crist's office has previously said the money could help offset a $1.1 billion budget deficit prompted by a housing slump and cooling of the state's economy. Asked Monday how much the state might get, Crist replied, "The more the merrier. I don't know what that will be."

He said it is his preference to work with legislators although "there's a mixed view on whether it's really essential" for the Legislature to ratify a final agreement. However, courts in five other states have already ruled that their respective governors needed legislative approval of gambling compacts with local tribes.

"I don't think a lawsuit will be necessary, because I want their partnership," Crist said, emphasizing that nothing has been finalized.

"I'm not sure we're going to have a compact … I don't feel compelled to. I don't feel that we have to do it. I want to do it if it's good for Florida. We're trying to get the best opportunity for the taxpayers of our state," he said.

Representatives from the state and the Seminoles are scheduled to meet with federal authorities today to give them an update on how talks are progressing. Both sides have indicated they could reach agreement by next week.

Linda Kleindienst can be reached at lkleindienst@sun-sentinel.com or 850-224-6214.