State Gets Extension On Casino Negotiation

By JEROME R. STOCKFISCH The Tampa Tribune

Published: Aug 22, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - The federal government has given Florida more time to negotiate a gaming agreement with the Seminole tribe, and it appears the talks could bring table gambling such as blackjack and baccarat along with high-end slot machines to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino near Tampa.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne had given state negotiators until Tuesday to reach an agreement that would allow the Seminoles to provide at least the same type of gaming offered in state parimutuel facilities. Interior has scheduled a conference call for Sept. 11.

At issue is what is known as Class III gaming, a catch-all for the type of high-end slot machines and other games common in Las Vegas. Currently, Seminole casinos are allowed to provide Class II slots, which technically are bingo games disguised as true slots.

Voters Said Yes

In 2004, voters statewide allowed Miami-Dade and Broward counties to conduct referendums on expanded gambling in existing parimutuel sites in those counties. Broward voters said yes, and three racetracks and one jai-alai fronton now provide Class III slots.

That triggered the talks between the state and tribe. In a twist in federal gaming law, Florida is able to enter into a revenue-sharing agreement with the tribe - provided the state offers some sort of exclusivity to the tribe.

Those involved in the negotiations aren't discussing specifics, but it appears that allowing the Seminoles to exclusively offer some types of table gaming - such as blackjack and baccarat - would provide the incentive for the tribe to share revenue.

"That is a topic of discussion. There's been no resolution," said Barry Richard, a Tallahassee lawyer representing the Seminoles at the negotiating table.

George LeMieux, Gov. Charlie Crist's chief of staff and point man on Indian gaming, also was elusive: "I don't want to, and haven't publicly commented as to the contours of the agreement."

A gaming Web site, Casino GamblingWeb.com, reported this month that the Seminoles were close to a deal that would allow full Vegas-style casinos. The tribe runs the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino at Interstate 4 and Orient Road near Tampa; another Hard Rock in Broward; and five other casinos statewide.

There's Opposition

State Sen. Steven Geller, D-Cooper City, an expert on gaming issues in the Legislature, said he was not privy to negotiations but expected the state to offer the Seminoles "something beyond slot machines." That likely would include table games "of some form," Geller said. "Probably not every form, but something."

Richard and LeMieux said an agreement could come this week. Without one, the Interior Department would allow the Seminoles virtually unfettered operation of Class III slot machines, with the state having no role in regulation and no share of revenue.

With a revenue deal, Florida's cut has been estimated at anywhere from $50 million a year to hundreds of millions.

An agreement wouldn't necessarily end the controversy over gambling in Florida.

Lawmakers already are threatening to challenge Crist's authority to finalize an agreement without legislative input and approval. The Legislature likely would sue to protect its integrity, Geller said.

LeMieux, meanwhile, said the governor's office thinks it is operating within its rights.

There also is likely to be opposition from antigambling hard-liners in the Legislature as Crist warms up to gambling revenue to replenish a shrinking state budget.

Reporter Jerome R. Stockfisch can be reached at jstockfisch@tampatrib

.com at (850) 222-8382.