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Florida governor willing to negotiate casino compact

TALLAHASSEE, Florida – As reported by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel: "In a dramatic departure from his predecessor, Gov. Charlie Crist said Wednesday he is willing to negotiate a gambling compact with the Seminole Tribe -- a move that could bring millions into Florida's cash-strapped treasury.

"'I think that's the smarter way to go,' Crist said.

"Former Gov. Jeb Bush, a staunch opponent of gambling, stonewalled negotiations with the tribe, which wants to install Las Vegas-style slot machines similar to those voters approved for four Broward County pari-mutuels.

"No meetings have yet been held or scheduled with the tribe, but Crist said it would benefit state taxpayers to strike a deal that provides money to the state in exchange for expanded gaming rights for the Seminoles.

"Barry Richard, an attorney for the Seminoles, said the tribe might be willing to pay the state for the right to have more than the 1,500 slot machines that the pari-mutuels are limited to, or other types of casino games.

"…The tribe currently has seven gambling locations statewide with almost 8,600 bingo-style slot machines and 230 poker tables that generated $1.3 billion in revenue in 2005, Richard said. The state gets no money from the tribe while the pari-mutuels have to pay a 50 percent tax on their slot profits…"

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