The gaming compact that was negotiated between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and Governor Charlie Crist last August was vetoed by a House panel last week. The vote was unanimous but the chairman of the committee on gambling, Bill Galvano, thinks an agreement should finally be reached that will be in the best interests of both tribe and state.

With no immediate prospect for a compact being signed, the Seminole casinos continue to offer banked card games such as blackjack at some properties despite this being declared illegal by Florida legislators. The tribe’s lawyers argue that under federal law they have the right to the games as well as the Class III gaming machines that now replace the former Class II slots.

In addition to rejecting the Seminole compact, lawmakers proposed a bill that would lower the tax rate that pari-mutuels pay on their slot winnings. This could signify that legislators are considering redrawing gambling law in Florida to allow more competition to the Seminole operations. Some of them have been angered by the tribe continuing to offer card games after Florida’s Supreme Court ruled the 2007 compact to be void.

Governor Crist expressed his disappointment following the House panel vote but remains outwardly optimistic. "We obviously have a long way to go before the end of session, so there is plenty of time for the Florida Legislature to approve a plan that would direct billions of dollars to Florida schools for years to come." However, it is possible that the National Indian Gaming Commission could close down the Seminole card tables although, so far, it says it is just closely watching the dispute. (E-01.21.10)

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