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Florida State and Seminoles Reach Deal
The state
of Florida has finally reached a deal
with the Seminole Indian tribe in
regards to their being allowed slot
machines in the state. The tribe has
been trying to get them for years, but
to no avail. Then after Broward County
legalized slot machines the state was
required to allow them to have the
machines as well, but instead Governor
Jeb Bush fought them until he was no
longer in office.
Originally, Bush would have only needed
to allow them to have slot machines at
their gaming locations, and the state
could have received a portion of the
proceeds. However, once Broward County
legalized the slot machines the state
could have easily been cut out of the
deal as it was now illegal for the state
not to allow them to bring them in.
Instead, current Governor Charlie Crist
had to up the ante to keep the tribe
happy, and in addition to slot machines
needed to offer table games to get a
portion of the proceeds from the state.
The deal that Crist signed with the
tribe will give them Class III slot
machines and table games such as
blackjack and baccarat.
The tribe will not be allowed to offer
craps or roulette though, under the
terms of the deal. In return, the state
will get a minimum of $100 million a
year, which could increase depending on
how much money the slot machines and
tables actually end up bringing in. That
number is based on a lower amount of
revenue, and if the revenue exceeds
those amounts, then the tribe will have
to pay more to the state.
The tribe has exclusive rights to
operate the casino games, for somewhere
around 25 years. They will be permitted
to have the slot machines and table
games at their Hard Rock casinos in both
Broward County and Tampa, as well as any
other sites in the state.
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