The contract with the tribe mean exclusive rights for the Seminoles to blackjack at their casinos in return for at least a quarter billion dollars a year to the state. Ending the tribe's exclusivity would mean the loss of that revenue…and that's been the primary barrier to approving resort casinos in South Florida and to expanding gambling opportunities for the state's restless pari-mutuel operators.Reportedly, Governor Scott's negotiating team is prepared to sign off on new gambling opportunities for the Seminoles in return for a 40 percent revenue increase. That could cancel any plans for big resort casinos in South Florida…but pro-casino legislative Democrats and the pari-mutuels are standing in the way. State Representative Jim Waldman of Coconut Creek says his caucus will stand against it.
"Unless we are at the table during the negotiations, we will not vote to ratify the contract should one be presented to us", said Waldman.
And that's a serious threat, says lobbyist Ron Book who represents Magic City Casino and the Naples/Fort Myers Greyhound Track.
"There are more than just one or two handfuls of republicans who won't vote for anything related to gaming they can't pass a compact without a bunch of Democrats voting yes", said Book.
The deal that allegedly has been reached would give the Seminoles the exclusive right to blackjack at seven of its casinos, and allow the tribe a new casino to open in Fort Pierce. Scott's political problem is that any tribal compact that bars resort casinos may cost him re-election contributions from big time casino operators. The Seminoles, however, have already been generous.